HEMPFIELD MAN PLEADS NO CONTEST

A Hempfield man pleaded no contest to reduced charges and was ordered to serve four years of probation.  The Trib reports that Dennis Hertzog disputed sexual assault allegations during his trial in March claiming he was framed and that the accusations were part of a scheme by relatives of his accuser to steal Social Security benefits. The defense argued the prosecution’s case relied on circumstantial evidence and lacked physical evidence.  He was accused of assaulting his 48-year-old accuser, who was unable to give consent.  Westmoreland County prosecutors dismissed felony counts in both cases to facilitate the plea deal for Dennis M. Hertzog.