Hootman charged in drug case linked to local dealer after grand jury presentment
GREENSBURG, PA – A former police chief in Westmoreland County and another Ligonier man are facing serious criminal charges stemming from a long-running drug investigation that revealed a personal connection and alleged illegal exchanges between the two men, authorities announced Thursday.
John Berger, former Chief of Police in Ligonier Valley, and Michael Hootman were both charged following a grand jury presentment detailing their alleged roles in a narcotics operation that involved the trafficking of marijuana, cocaine, pharmaceuticals, and other controlled substances.
According to Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli, witnesses told the grand jury that Hootman was a known source for illegal drugs and that Berger, while serving as police chief, regularly received prescription pills from him—sometimes while in uniform and on duty.
Text messages reviewed during the investigation allegedly show Berger contacting Hootman for prescription medication to treat back pain as early as January 2021. Surveillance conducted by Pennsylvania State Police in April and May of 2023 captured Berger arriving at Hootman’s residence in his unmarked police vehicle and conducting exchanges directly from his car.
A subsequent search warrant at Hootman’s residence and Berger’s police vehicle revealed cocaine, marijuana, testosterone, and prescription drugs, along with pill bottles and medications not belonging to Berger. Some of those medications were believed to have been taken from the department’s Drug Take Back box, a secure container meant for safe disposal of unused prescriptions.
Despite clear evidence of drug distribution activity, prosecutors say Berger never initiated or participated in any formal investigation into Hootman during his time as police chief. No arrests or charges were filed by Berger against Hootman, even after multiple direct interactions that prosecutors now say were clearly illegal.
Berger is facing charges of bribery, theft, obstruction of administration of law, delivery and acquisition of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, and receiving a controlled substance. Hootman is charged with bribery and multiple felony drug offenses related to the trafficking of narcotics.
Both men were charged Thursday. Berger served as chief from 2019 until his departure in May 2023. The investigation remains ongoing.
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Key Points
- Former Ligonier Valley Police Chief John Berger and Michael Hootman were charged following a grand jury investigation into drug trafficking
- Berger is accused of receiving prescription pills from Hootman while on duty and failing to investigate known illegal activity
- Surveillance and searches uncovered narcotics and discarded prescriptions in Berger’s police vehicle and Hootman’s home