Sheriff's Office Fires Sergeant Accused In Domestic Violence Incident
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- One day after appearing in court on domestic violence charges, an Allegheny County sheriff's sergeant has been fired from his job.
The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday afternoon that they have terminated Sgt. Curtis Sowder's employment after reviewing the information and evidence in the case.
He is accused of roughing up his wife at their home in Bridgeville; allegedly body slamming her on the ground and then dragging her on to the front porch.
Sowder had been on leave from the department since the incident happened earlier this month.
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Sowder is charged with simple assault, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment of another person.
In a deal struck in court on Monday, all of those charges could have been withdrawn if Sowder followed court ordered actions. However, on Tuesday, that deal appeared to be falling apart.
The District Attorney's Office said that cases that involve felony domestic violence cannot be resolved at this level. The DA's Office says there is a review process in place to determine what is appropriate in cases like this.
"I've done hundreds of domestic violence cases, and generally speaking, if you have someone who doesn't have a history of any type of abuse and the victim on the case is in agreement, then, generally speaking, what happened yesterday is what happens. So, I hope that the offer that was made and accepted will be valid," said defense attorney Blaine Jones.
Sowder's wife did not want to comment Monday as she left court with her hand clearly bandaged.
The Sheriff's Office is making no further comment on the case.
