Pennsylvania State Police trooper accused of beating man unconscious in Connellsville

CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. — A state trooper is behind bars after he allegedly beat a man unconscious during a confrontation.

James Stevenson, 29, is facing charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

“This is not conduct that we would expect from anybody, let alone a state trooper,” said Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele.

Investigators say Stevenson showed up at a home on Oak Street in Connellsville just before 1 a.m. Sunday uninvited.

Court documents say he barged into the home and found a man and woman together in the bedroom. That woman was also a state trooper who police say Stevenson had a previous relationship with.

“She indicated somewhat that their relationship had ended at some point and this was her new relationship and Trooper Stevenson went to confront them about that,” Aubele told Channel 11′s Andrew Havranek.

According to court documents, Stevenson started beating the man in the face. The man’s father came upstairs and found his son knocked out and bloodied.

Police said there was another confrontation outside and the victim was taken to the hospital.

“The injuries to the victim were severe,” Aubele said. “He’s gonna have permanent disfigurement, he’s gonna have ongoing medical issues. We’re still trying to determine the exact level of damage that was caused by this assault.”

Due to his employment with State Police in Uniontown, Stevenson was arrested by state police from Waynesburg.

State police suspended Stevenson without pay because of these charges.

“I think it was a shame,” said Earl Hogamier from Uniontown. “I mean, the law goes for everybody, not just for criminals. Police have to got to follow the law, too.”

“He will receive no consideration for being a Pennsylvania State Trooper, nor will he be punished for having that position,” Aubele said. “He will be treated like every other criminal defendant that we have in this county.”

Stevenson is due in court on June 4.

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