NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Criminal charges have been filed against former New Kensington Police Officer Nathaniel Cochran, 25, after an investigation revealed he allegedly paid cash to a defendant to delete her text messages before dismissing drug charges against her.
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli announced the charges following a joint investigation by the district attorney’s office and county detectives.
Cochran is charged with tampering with public record, unsworn falsification, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, official oppression and obstruction of administration of law. The charges stem from a November 2024 traffic stop during which Cochran arrested a woman for drug possession before withdrawing the charges the following month.
During the traffic stop in November 2024, Cochran allegedly told the woman he could help her if she set someone up. After she declined, Cochran gave her a cellphone number, claiming it was a work phone. Investigating Detective Nicholas Caesar noted that the New Kensington Police Department confirmed patrol officers are not issued work cellphones. Within days, Cochran and the woman continued communicating using a personal phone number registered to him.
According to the district attorney’s office, the woman visited Cochran’s home on two occasions, where Cochran told her not to worry about the drug charges against her. In late November 2024, Cochran contacted the woman and asked to meet her at a location in Delmont. During the meeting, Cochran gave her $1,000 in cash and requested that she delete the text messages between them.
Authorities said Cochran withdrew the criminal charges against the woman in December 2024, claiming she was serving as a confidential informant. However, the woman told detectives she had never worked as an informant for the Police Department. Administration officials from the New Kensington Police Department and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General verified that she was never a confidential informant.
Detectives subsequently executed a search warrant on Cochran’s cellphone. When questioned by investigators, Cochran claimed he did not know the woman, but a search of his phone revealed communications between them.
District Attorney Ziccarelli emphasized the severity of the alleged actions following the filing of charges.
“This was someone who swore to uphold and protect the law and within a few years of taking that oath, he egregiously defied and broke the law for his own personal benefit,” Ziccarelli said. “This behavior contradicts what the public, rightfully, expects from a law enforcement officer and Mr. Cochran needs to be held accountable.”
Authorities noted that the information regarding Cochran’s interactions with the defendant emerged during an inquiry into an unrelated complaint. Cochran remains under investigation regarding that separate matter.
Cochran resigned from his position at the end of September amid accusations of possible use of excessive force.
Attorney Amanda Shields represents Anthony Delarosa, who was arrested this summer by Cochran.
“My client walked away from this incident with a broken orbital bone, a broken nose, bruised ribs, and scratches and bruising on his face as well,” Shields told Channel 11 last month.
After the arrest, Officer Cochran was placed on leave, but his attorney says his use of force was justified.
There have been no charges filed against Cochran at this time related to these accusations.
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