Leechburg police chief ordered to stand trial
Accused of trying to meet minor for sex
The Leechburg police chief accused of attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl was ordered Friday to stand trial after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Michael W. Diebold, 40, of Leechburg, is charged with five felonies, including unlawful contact with a minor, after investigators with the state attorney general’s office said he used an online messaging app to send inappropriate photos and solicited sexual contact from an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl.
The chief also made plans to meet the agent and was arrested Jan. 5 when he arrived at the agreed upon site, according to court records.
Chief Diebold’s attorney, Duke George Jr., said Friday he opted to waive the preliminary hearing in order to receive full discovery from prosecutors before arguing Chief Diebold’s case.
Chief Diebold declined to comment as he left a Lower Burrell district court Friday.
Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos confirmed Friday that the chief still is suspended without pay.
The chief’s mother, Karen Diebold, said the charges against her son are not true.
“He is going to fight this until the end, and I’ll be right there with him,” she said.
Chief Diebold, who is out of jail on a $500,000 bond, is next scheduled to appear for a formal arraignment March 8 in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court.