A Cambria Township police officer is facing criminal charges after state troopers say he took off his body-worn camera while on duty, then had inappropriate and unlawful contact with a woman inside her Ebensburg apartment in mid-May.
The officer, 36-year-old Walter Joseph Maul Jr., has been charged with misdemeanor counts of official oppression and false imprisonment, along with summary counts of harassment and disorderly conduct. Investigators say the encounter, which included handcuffing the woman, happened on May 16 at about 8:30 p.m.
State police lay out the allegations
Pennsylvania State Police said Cambria Township officials requested an investigation in May, prompting troopers to look into Maul’s conduct that evening. According to state police, Maul was on duty and in full uniform when he texted the woman earlier in the day, then went to her Ebensburg apartment that night.
Troopers say that before going inside, Maul removed his body-worn camera and left it in his patrol vehicle. Once in the apartment, investigators allege, he had inappropriate and unlawful contact with the woman and used his handcuffs during the interaction. After interviewing Maul, the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office approved the charges, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
Investigators seek tips
State police are asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact Corporal Jesse Dumm at the Ebensburg station. The Pennsylvania State Police directory lists the Ebensburg station at 2770 New Germany Road in Ebensburg and provides a public phone number of 814-472-1653, according to Pennsylvania State Police Troop A.
Pennsylvania State Police declined to comment on Maul’s employment status, saying that issue falls to the Cambria Township Police Department.
Legal implications
The case now moves into Cambria County’s criminal system. Misdemeanor and summary charges can carry criminal penalties and may also lead to internal personnel reviews for an officer.
Prosecutors, along with Cambria Township police leadership, will determine the next steps as the case proceeds through local court.
