Ex-Bethel Park hockey coach accepts plea deal on drug charges

PITTSBURGH — A local hockey coach appeared in court Monday on drug charges.

Kenneth Lehmann was the assistant coach of the Bethel Park Black Hawk Club Hockey team.

Lehmann was arrested in January at the Sheraden Park and Ride after police said they found organic heroin and a hypodermic needle in his car. He has since been banned from coaching.

Lehmann's attorney, Patrick Thomassey, said he accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to six months probation. His attorney also said Lehmann hopes to enter a drug rehabilitation program.

“Obviously he has a severe addiction problem with heroin that he’s battled for two years,” Thomassey said. “It’s a battle, and he’s up for it. He’ll be alright in the end.”

At the time of his arrest, authorities said Lehmann told the officers he had been sober for close to two years, but recently relapsed.

“If you deal with addiction like I do every day, it’s a lifetime battle for these people,” Thomassey said. “Ken Lehmann’s a quality guy, and he got into heroin. It just ruins people’s lives."

Channel 11 News has learned that Lehmann was charged in the past for robbery, forgery and theft.

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