Former Pennsylvania police officer, chief plead guilty to role in meth operation

( WJET/WFXP ) — The former chief and another officer from western Pennsylvania have pleaded guilty in federal court for their alleged role in running a methamphetamine pill operation.

The United States Attorney’s Office for Western Pennsylvania announced on May 1 that former Greensburg Police Officer Regina McAtee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

She joins former Greensburg Chief of Police Shawn Denning who also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine back on April 16.

McAtee admitted to ordering fake Adderall pills online with Denning, which really contained meth, and then sold the pills to Denning for him to distribute along with other dealers.

“As a sworn police officer, Regina McAtee’s job was to stop drug dealing,” U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan said. “Instead, she worked with her boss at the time, Shawn Denning, to push more methamphetamine out into the community. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute drug dealing, regardless of whether it’s being committed by citizens on the street or those who wear a badge.”

McAtee now faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both and is set to be sentenced on August 22.

The DEA, United States Postal Inspection Service, IRS – Criminal Investigation and FBI conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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