Former Greensburg police chief pleads to drug violations

PITTSBURGH – The former Greensburg chief of police who reportedly had drug dealings with informants in Ellwood City pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in a drug conspiracy.

Shawn Denning, 43, of Delmont, appeared for his plea in U.S. District Court. He was arrested by federal agents in January 2023 and reportedly had narcotics dealings with a federal confidential informant the prior year in an Ellwood City park.

Denning entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine.

As part of his plea, Denning admitted that, while serving as a captain of the Greensburg Police Department and continuing through his tenure as chief of the department, he conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in the form of fake Adderall pills and cocaine to individuals in the Western District of Pennsylvania and across the country, including Ellwood City, and in Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma.

Denning boasted to a DEA confidential source he could connect the source with “heavy hitters” across the country who would deliver drugs through the mail, later sending the source drug menus and prices, vouching for the source to the narcotics suppliers, communicating with the suppliers, and otherwise facilitating narcotics transactions. Toward the end of the investigation, Denning was recorded in an undercover operation discussing the drug conspiracy with a confidential source and admitting to his conduct.

Denning also admitted he conspired with former Greenburg officer Regina McAtee, whom Denning used to purchase drugs from the suppliers and then as a source for drugs for himself when McAtee received the orders. McAtee was charged by separate criminal information and is scheduled to plead guilty May 1.

“Instead of catching drug dealers, Shawn Denning chose to be one by participating in a cross-country methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracy,” U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan said. “Holding corrupt public officials accountable when they betray their oath to protect and serve the community remains a priority of this office and our partners in the law enforcement community.”

Denning’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 13. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of no less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both.