Retired Plum police officer, candidate for district judge, waives hearing on DUI charge

A former Plum police officer accused of driving under the influence of alcohol has waived a preliminary hearing on the charge.

Ryan E. Schneiderlochner, 51, of Plum retired from the borough’s police department April 8.

Schneiderlochner also is a candidate for district judge in Plum.

He was still a patrolman when another Plum officer says he found Schneiderlochner sleeping behind the wheel of a running pickup at New Texas and Saltsburg roads early on Jan. 21.

Schneiderlochner’s preliminary hearing on a misdemeanor DUI count filed Jan. 24 had been continued from March 1 to April 26. However, his attorney, Timothy J. Kidd, asked to waive the hearing before its scheduled date, which was done April 12.

“Defense counsel can waive his/her client’s right to a preliminary hearing prior to the date as long as the magisterial district judge is in agreement,” said Laurie Delaney, executive assistant to Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala.

Schneiderlochner declined to comment until he could consult with Kidd. Kidd did not return a call for comment Wednesday.

Senior District Judge Linda Zucco approved the request. The district court serving Plum and Oakmont is vacant after Zucco retired in 2021. Senior judges fill the seat on a monthly basis; Zucco is there for April, a staff member said.

In a criminal complaint against Schneiderlochner, Plum Patrolman Jacob Kingerski said he found a pickup at the intersection of New Texas and Saltsburg roads around 3:44 a.m. Jan. 21.

A man, who he later identified as Schneiderlochner, was sleeping in the driver’s seat, slumped over with his chin touching his chest. The keys were in the ignition and the vehicle was running.

Kingerski wrote that Schneiderlochner was visibly intoxicated. His eyes were red and bloodshot; his speech was slow and lethargic; and a strong odor of alcohol was coming from his breath and person.

Schneiderlochner began to fall when he got out of the pickup, the complaint states. Sobriety tests were not done because he could not stand on his own.

A blood alcohol level was not stated in the complaint.

Schneiderlochner is scheduled for formal arraignment May 30, according to court records.

Schneiderlochner is one of five candidates in the May 16 primary for the vacant district judge office serving Plum and Oakmont. His name will appear on the Democratic and Republican ballots.

The other candidates appearing on both ballots are Matt Feldmeier, a retired Plum police sergeant; and Margareth Sweeney, a deputy constable. Plum Councilman Mike Doyle will be on the Republican ballot, while Melanie Pallone, an attorney and professor, will be on the Democratic ballot.