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Westmoreland Co. sheriff will go to trial on criminal charges

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held was back in court Wednesday to be formally charged in a public corruption case spearheaded by the attorney general’s office.

Held pleaded not guilty in front of an out-of-county judge brought in specifically for this case.

"Our contention is that this entire case is smoke and mirrors and it’s politically motivated,” said Held’s attorney, Ryan Tutera.

In March, agents with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office seized computers from the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office when they raided the agency.

Agents took at least two computers that sources told Channel 11 belong to Held and Chief Deputy Patricia Fritz.

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Held’s trial is expected to start in August, and he plans to stay on the job until then.

Held was charged with theft and conflict of interest for allegedly using deputies to campaign for his reelection on county time and in county cars.

“We’re confident. We’re going to move forward. We’re going to defend and we’re going to see my client vindicated,” Tutera said.