Veteran Westmoreland sheriff's deputy accused of indecent behavior with female inmates

A former Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputy urged female inmates to expose themselves or grope him over his uniform in exchange for cigarettes, according to state police.

State police conducted a yearlong investigation that on Thursday resulted in Daniel A. Gradischek, 32, of Unity, being arraigned on multiple criminal charges, including bribery, institutional sexual assault, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation, criminal solicitation to commit indecent assault and oppression filed by police after a year-long probe.

In November 2018, the office of District Attorney John Peck notified state police of allegations against Gradischek, according to Trooper Christopher Cole. During an interview, Gradischek confessed to the “inappropriate behavior” during prisoner transports, state police said.

“… Gradischek stated that he would provide female inmates with cigarettes in exchange for females showing him their bare breasts,” Cole wrote.

During the investigation, Gradischek repeatedly denied having sexual intercourse with any of the women, Cole said.

Troopers interviewed multiple women who said they reported that Gradischek would often ask during transports, “What would you do for a cigarette?”

Inmates told troopers that sometimes Gradischek suggested they perform oral sex and other times he asked to see their breasts or grope him, according to court papers.

None of the women said they had intercourse with Gradischek, but some said they touched him through his uniform or exposed themselves in return for tobacco products, investigators said.

Some incidents occurred when Gradischek was alone with female inmates in holding cells or inside district court restrooms to uncuff them, in the sheriff’s van during prisoner transports to the Greensburg courthouse and once at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, where an inmate was receiving treatment, police said.

“I had no idea this was going on,” Sheriff Jon Held said. “He was immediately suspended in November 2018 when I learned about it, and he was fired shortly after that. The behavior was completely disgusting. We’re here to uphold the law.”

Gradischek has cooperated in the investigation since it started, according to his attorney, Michael Ferguson.

“We just received the charges … and are in the process of reviewing them. So I can’t really comment on the allegations at this point,” Ferguson said. “However, Dan has never been in trouble before in his life, and he’s been completely cooperative. He continues to have the support of family and friends.”

Investigators have no information “at this time” that other deputies were involved in the indecent conduct, state police spokesman Trooper Stephen Limani said.

“It’s unfortunate that when this deputy was alone with female inmates he abused his power. This gives a black eye to all of law enforcement,” Limani said.

Allegations against Gradischek arose the same time that another former sheriff’s deputy, Bobby Neiderhiser, 39, of Mt. Pleasant Township, was charged with corruption of minors for allegedly exchanging text messages with a 15-year-old girl, seeking sex with her and her juvenile friend. Those complaints also were filed by Cole.

Neiderhiser’s trial is set to begin Jan. 13 before Judge Scott Mears.

Hempfield District Judge Mark Mansour ordered Gradischek released on $50,000 unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing Jan. 31.