A 24-year-old Tyrone man has plead guilty to two crimes including one that involved the use of a county computer to create false receipts.
In October, Brian Alexander Walter of 1374 Washington Avenue was arrested on a drug charge while he was at work for Blair County in the controller’s office. The drug incident did not occur at work, but involved an April 2005 deal in downtown Tyrone.
A previous Herald article said Walter was arrested on suspicion of a heroin charge, according to Tyrone Police Chief Joseph Beachem.
The chief said the arrest stemmed from an incident when Walter allegedly made a drug deal with a police confidential informant in downtown Tyrone.
Beachem said he became aware the county’s sheriff’s department had knowledge of Walter’s whereabouts and a warrant for Walter had been outstanding for some time before he was detained. As it turned out, the Blair County Sheriff’s office was investigating another matter involving Walter and the forging of county receipts when they became aware of the drug warrant.
At the time, County Controller Richard Peo expressed displeasure with Walter’s arrest at his office by two sheriff deputies.
“I’m not upset because the man got arrested,” said Controller Peo in October. He explained if the man needed to be in custody, he understood that, but wondered if the situation could have been dealt with in another way. He said he was disappointed the sheriff’s department did not make him aware of the matter.
“I’ve known (Sheriff) Larry (Field) for almost 20 years and we have worked together for 12,” said Peo. “I would have hoped Larry would have called me and made me aware of the situation.”
As for Sheriff Field, he said, “This was a felony warrant, you don’t take any chances. They (deputies) proceeded (to Walter’s work place) and told him there was a warrant. They asked if he would come with them.”
Field told The Daily Herald earlier this week that he was happy with the way his department handled the situation. A police criminal complaint filed by deputy Dale DeLozier showed why the Sheriff’s department was interested in Walter and his activities both on and off county property.
Walter was alleged to have used a county computer to make bogus receipts for a Tyrone woman who was making payments to the county for costs and fines. Lydia Pupo, the director of the county’s Department of Costs, Fines and Restitution contacted the sheriff’s department about a forged receipt made out to Jessica Nicole Wertz.
According to court documents, Wertz received money from her mother, but wanted to keep the money rather than use it to pay the fines. During interviews with authorities, Wertz admitted to knowing Walter and to knowledge that he worked for the county. She asked Walter to produce the fake receipts to give to her mother to make it appear that she had paid the fines.
Wertz later gave a written statement that she conspired with Walter regarding the receipts. She also said she paid Walter by sharing drugs and getting ‘high” with him. Wertz was given one-year probation for her role in the scam.
Court documents also showed that Walter allegedly took a laptop computer from the courthouse while he was in the data processing department. His supervisor then restricted the use of computers to business use and Walter was specifically forbidden to take any equipment off the premises. However, Walter allegedly did take another computer from county premises without authorization and downloaded pornography to it.
In December, a search warrant was issued for Walter’s Tyrone address. Authorities discovered several drug paraphernalia items. Walter was also questioned about the forged receipts, which he admitted to making for Wertz.
Walter plead guilty to one count of possession to deliver and a computer trespass charge. Judge Hiram Carpenter’s office noted both crimes were felony counts.
Walter requested an evaluation for the county’s Intermediate Punishment Program. Judge Carpenter granted the request, and sentencing on Walter’s pleas will not be made until a determination is made on the request.
