Former Leechburg Police Chief Accepts Plea Deal In Underage Solicitation Case
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LEECHBURG (KDKA) - The trial for the former Leechburg police chief was supposed to begin today.
However, Michael Diebold accepted a plea deal.
He pleaded guilty to all four counts and was sentenced to 9-23 months in prison with credit for time served. As a result, he could be released in January.
He was accused of soliciting a 14-year-old girl for sex.
Diebold was arrested in January and charged with unlawful contact with a minor and criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. He's accused of communicating with an undercover agent who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, sending inappropriate photos and arranging a meeting.
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He waived his right to a preliminary hearing in January and was bonded out of jail, but he was sent back to the Westmoreland County Jail in May after he allegedly violated a court-ordered custody agreement.
In November, Diebold was reportedly asking for alimony and spousal support payments from his estranged wife.
The Valley News Dispatch reports Diebold has filed a claim in the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas, saying he doesn't have sufficient income and assets for living expenses and legal fees.
Diebold also reportedly asked the court to prohibit his wife, Danielle, from spending any of the money community members and others raised for him after he lost part of his arm in a fireworks accident in 2017.
Danielle told KDKA-TV News shortly after her husband's arrest that all the money raised was "frozen" and would not be used for his bail or criminal defense.
