State agents raid Westmoreland County sheriff's office after locksmith opens door

Agents with the state attorney general's office confiscated two computers and other files Friday during a raid at the office of embattled Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held.

Investigators armed with a search warrant found a locked door leading into Held's private office within the sheriff's department. They waited for a locksmith to arrive at the courthouse to open the door.

Agents from the state Attorney General's office at courthouse with search warrant to seize computers of Westmoreland Sheriff Jonathan Held and staff.

— Rich Cholodofsky (@RichCholodofsky) March 23, 2018

Sources said Held's second-in-command, Chief Deputy Patricia Fritz, and another ranking member of his administrative team fled the courthouse through a side door when they learned about the agents' arrival.

The attorney general last month charged Held, 44, of Hempfield, with three criminal offenses related to public corruption allegations. Investigators contend Held forced deputies and office staff to perform political chores, specifically to organize and collect items for campaign fundraisers, while in uniform and on the job.

A two-term Republican who took office in 2012, Held faces one felony count of conflict of interest and two misdemeanor charges of theft for using county resources for political purposes.

A retired sergeant and an active sergeant testified at a preliminary hearing last week that Held ordered them and other staffers to perform campaign chores on his behalf while on duty . The case was held over for court. No trial date has been set.

Held has denied the allegations and has maintained they were made by political adversaries and disgruntled staff members.

"Our investigation related to Sheriff Jonathan Held is ongoing," Joe Grace, a spokesman for Attorney General Josh Shapiro, said in a statement.

Ryan Tutera, Held's defense attorney, said the timing of the search warrant was curious.

"You have to ask why they would do this at this time. They could have done it a long time ago if they thought it was important and something was on these computers," Tutera said.

When agents arrived at the courthouse shortly before 10 a.m., they were unable to enter Held's office.

An agent was overheard calling Held, telling him about the search warrant seeking computers from his office. "We will take them whether you are here or not," the agent said. "We need someone to come back and unlock the doors."

Sources said county park police officers were unable to open Held's office door with a master key.

Public works and maintenance crews brought in equipment that included a saw, drill and an ax. Eventually a private locksmith was brought in to open the door.

Tutera said Held was not scheduled to be at work on Friday and was with his children, who were visiting from Florida.

"Nobody is hiding anything," Tutera said. "Had he been to work, he would have accepted the warrant and this wouldn't be a story."

Fritz eventually returned to the courthouse and was seen walking with investigators to a private room, where they spent about 10 minutes before she returned to her office.

No charges have been filed against Fritz.

Meanwhile, county officials questioned why Held's office could not be accessed.

"We're trying to find out why. My understanding is that any private office should still be accessible by security," said Commissioner Ted Kopas, speculating that the lock to the sheriff's office door had been changed. "I can only presume he or someone from his office did it on their own."

Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-830-6293 or rcholodofsky@tribweb.com.