A former Westmoreland County police chief and a man accused of dealing him prescription pills are facing charges amid an ongoing investigation, the district attorney's office announced on Friday.

The Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said text messages revealed that then-Ligonier Valley Police Chief John Berger was getting prescription pain pills from Michael Hootman as early as January 2021, picking them up while he was on duty. Prosecutors said multiple witnesses testified to a grand jury that Hootman was their source for drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and pharmaceuticals.

When Pennsylvania State Police conducted surveillance at Hootman's home in April and May of 2023, police said they saw Berger in his unmarked police cruiser making exchanges with Hootman. Text

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