Federal agents raid Ligonier police: Chief John Berger on administrative leave following targeted investigation 

Ligonier Valley Police Chief John Berger found himself in trouble after federal agents raided the police department last week. After the raid, Berger was put on administrative leave. Apart from this, his department cruiser and cell phone were also seized during the raid.

While the reason and more details about the raid at the police department have not been released, CBS News reported that the raid was mostly conducted due to Chief Berger being the subject of an investigation. Furthermore, reports have also claimed that the police department was clueless about the raid.

The chief has been placed on paid leave and those who heard the news were shocked as he was loved and respected in the community. Mark Sorice, the department's solicitor, spoke about the raid, and as The Daily Item, he stated:

“When we discovered the investigation on Thursday, and the vehicle and the phone were seized, we needed to take some action.”

As John Berger is currently absent from his role, assistant chief Mike Matrunic will be acting as the chief in his place.

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Investigations into the Ligonier chief and the department continue even after the raid

While the raid ended in a few hours, the state police are still conducting investigations into the case, which has not been disclosed yet. Furthermore, as per WTAE, the federal agents also have a search warrant sealed for conducting the raid and further interrogations and investigations.

On the other hand, Mark Sorice, the department's solicitor, also claimed that the entire department, along with the chief, is cooperating with the federal agents during the investigations.

Sorice said:

“They have been very open, honest and straightforward. They understand their jobs, that the integrity of the department is most important and that everybody is held accountable for their actions. The investigation has just started and is ongoing. Wherever it leads us, we will take the appropriate action.”

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Berger has been serving in law enforcement since 1993

Having graduated from Ligonier Valley High School in 1990 and the Westmoreland County Community College municipal police academy in 1992, Chief Berger has been dedicated to serving the community through law enforcement since 1993. He was appointed acting police chief in Derry Borough for three years before landing a full-time position in the Township.

With over two decades of experience, Berger went on to take up the position of police chief in Ligonier Borough in 2004, until the two departments were merged to optimize their operations roughly four years ago. After the amalgamation, Berger was appointed as the head of the newly formed Ligonier Valley police force, with Matrunic as his assistant.

At the moment, there has not been any comment from the police department or Chief John Berger.