Former Mt. Carmel Borough Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Violate Civil Rights

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that former Lt. David Donkochik, age 53, of the Mt. Carmel Borough Police Department, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. Chief District Judge Matthew W. Brann, to conspiring to use excessive force when arresting people over a three-year period.

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, former Lt. Donkochik was previously indicted on June 15, 2023, with former Officer Jonathan McHugh, age 36, and former Officer Kyle Schauer, age 36, on charges of conspiracy to deprive rights under color of law.  Donkochik, McHugh, and Schauer conspired to violate the civil rights of those they arrested from 2018 to 2021.  During 22 different arrests, one or more of the defendants kicked, punched, choked, or otherwise used excessive force against those they were arresting.  In those arrests, they caused bodily injuries to their victims.

Donkochik, McHugh, and Schauer also took steps to ensure that video of the arrests was not captured by police cameras, or if footage that incriminated them was captured, took steps to ensure that footage was not preserved.  They falsely reported that arrestees acted in a manner requiring violence and then charged arrestees with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and related offenses to conceal their own use of violence.  

Schauer pleaded guilty on October 24, 2024, to conspiracy to deprive rights under color of law. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio and Carlo D. Marchioli and are prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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