News
Trooper accused of stomping man’s head
HAZLETON — A Pennsylvania State Police corporal from Troop N in Hazleton has been charged with assaulting a man while investigating a burglary earlier this year in Hazle Township.
FROM TIMES • SHAMROCK STAFF REPORTS
HAZLETON — A Pennsylvania State Police corporal from Troop N in Hazleton has been charged with assaulting a man while investigating a burglary earlier this year in Hazle Township.
Charges were filed Wednesday against Michael Thomas Hartzel, 43, Larksville, following an investigation by the state police Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards Internal Affairs Division.
Hartzel was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Thomas Sharkey, Hazle Township, on charges of simple assault, official oppression and intimidation of a witness and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.
According to the criminal complaint, Hartzel and other troopers responded to a Feb. 13 report of an armed man attempting to force his way into a home at Holly Lynn Mobile Home Park. At the scene, Christopher Keller, 44, was struggling with the man who police later identified as the suspect, Joseph Ganci, 87.
Police ordered Keller — who had gained control of Ganci’s knife — to the ground until identities of all at the scene could be established. Keller suffered a broken nose while in custody.
State police began investigating the circumstances surrounding Keller’s injuries.
The investigation revealed that while Keller was detained, Hartzel stomped on his head as he walked past him. Keller told investigators that he felt “a huge amount of pressure” forcing his head to the floor and he began to bleed.
Police later established that Keller was a bystander who came to the aid of the resident, and that Ganci was the armed individual.
Medical records show that Keller suffered a broken nose. Witnesses at the scene said Keller did nothing to justify the use of force.
During two separate incidents in April, Hartzel allegedly approached one of the troopers who had been at the scene and asked him to say that he “did not see anything,” according to the complaint. Hartzel also told the trooper that he was unhappy with another trooper for having “volunteered information” to the internal affairs department.
Hartzel admitted to investigators that he had a conversation with the trooper, but maintained that the context was of a different nature.
Investigators said Hartzel didn’t recall having any physical contact with Keller. He did say, however, that it was possible that he had “inadvertent” contact and caused the injury while Keller was on the ground.
Based on the investigation, it is alleged that Hartzel used unwarranted physical force against Keller. Police also allege that Hartzel encouraged a witness to provide misleading information to the internal affairs investigator.
Charges, all of which are second-degree misdemeanors, were filed after consultation with the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
Hartzel, who joined the state police in April 1988, has been suspended without pay pending resolution of the charges.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 31 in Luzerne County Central Court.
HAZLETON — A Pennsylvania State Police corporal from Troop N in Hazleton has been charged with assaulting a man while investigating a burglary earlier this year in Hazle Township.
Charges were filed Wednesday against Michael Thomas Hartzel, 43, Larksville, following an investigation by the state police Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards Internal Affairs Division.
Hartzel was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Thomas Sharkey, Hazle Township, on charges of simple assault, official oppression and intimidation of a witness and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.
According to the criminal complaint, Hartzel and other troopers responded to a Feb. 13 report of an armed man attempting to force his way into a home at Holly Lynn Mobile Home Park. At the scene, Christopher Keller, 44, was struggling with the man who police later identified as the suspect, Joseph Ganci, 87.
Police ordered Keller — who had gained control of Ganci’s knife — to the ground until identities of all at the scene could be established. Keller suffered a broken nose while in custody.
State police began investigating the circumstances surrounding Keller’s injuries.
The investigation revealed that while Keller was detained, Hartzel stomped on his head as he walked past him. Keller told investigators that he felt “a huge amount of pressure” forcing his head to the floor and he began to bleed.
Police later established that Keller was a bystander who came to the aid of the resident, and that Ganci was the armed individual.
Medical records show that Keller suffered a broken nose. Witnesses at the scene said Keller did nothing to justify the use of force.
During two separate incidents in April, Hartzel allegedly approached one of the troopers who had been at the scene and asked him to say that he “did not see anything,” according to the complaint. Hartzel also told the trooper that he was unhappy with another trooper for having “volunteered information” to the internal affairs department.
Hartzel admitted to investigators that he had a conversation with the trooper, but maintained that the context was of a different nature.
Investigators said Hartzel didn’t recall having any physical contact with Keller. He did say, however, that it was possible that he had “inadvertent” contact and caused the injury while Keller was on the ground.
Based on the investigation, it is alleged that Hartzel used unwarranted physical force against Keller. Police also allege that Hartzel encouraged a witness to provide misleading information to the internal affairs investigator.
Charges, all of which are second-degree misdemeanors, were filed after consultation with the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
Hartzel, who joined the state police in April 1988, has been suspended without pay pending resolution of the charges.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 31 in Luzerne County Central Court.
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