Duquesne Police Chief Thomas Dunlevy Charged With Witness Intimidation Related To Alleged Sexual Assault Case
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
DUQUESNE, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Duquesne police chief has been charged with witness intimidation related to a case of alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.
Chief Thomas Dunlevy turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday after being charged with intimidation of witnesses or victims, intimidation, retaliation or obstruction in child abuse cases, obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function and official oppression, the Allegheny County Police Department said.
County police said Bethel Park police responded to a report of a statutory sexual assault involving 20-year-old Nathan Beck, who is accused of engaging in sexual acts with the teen girl inside a Bethel Park home.
County police said the assault was reported by the alleged victim's father, who is a witness in the case. Beck was a volunteer firefighter in Duquesne and a friend Dunlevy, authorities said.
On Oct. 19, according to the criminal complaint, the alleged victim's dad told police that Dunlevy showed up at his job with a manila folder, saying he had potential evidence that Beck could use in the trial. Dunlevy alleged the man provided alcohol to his underage daughter and Beck, and that he could lose custody of his children, getting child protective services involved if the case went to trial.
Court paperwork shows the alleged victim's dad told police that Dunlevy said he was there on behalf of Beck and claimed he and his daughter's mother "enabled" Beck's relationship with the girl.
Three days later, Bethel Park police asked county police to help investigate, and an arrest warrant was issued for Dunlevy on Wednesday.
No one from the police or fire department would talk to KDKA on Wednesday. Duquesne's mayor referred KDKA to Mayor-elect Scott Adams.
"A lieutenant was put in charge of the department for the next 30 days. Come Jan. 3, that will be my decision who is running the department," Adams said.
Attorney Jimmy DePasquale said Beck, his client, never requested that the police chief involve himself in Beck's criminal charges.
