A jury in Westmoreland County found a New Florence man guilty of assaulting a law enforcement officer in an incident in 2021 where he fought against officers trying to take him into custody for probation violation.
39-year-old Ray Shetler, Jr. was charged in connection with an incident on December 7th of that year in Seward when police were trying to serve an outstanding warrant for missing a probation revocation hearing. He had been hiding in a mobile home when sheriff’s deputies and other officers found him. In his struggle, he head-butted Deputy Irvin Shipley, who suffered a concussion and injuries to shoulder. In the fight, Shetler was hit in the eye with a taser. The jury deliberated for three hours before rendering its verdict.
During the trial, Shetler claimed that the officers brutally beat him and used the taser as retribution for his role in the death of Officer Lloyd Reed. He was acquitted of killing him, but was found guilty charges related to his escape attempt.
Shetler faces up to 19 years in prison for the conviction on the charges related to yesterday’s verdict. His sentencing hearing will be held in about three months.
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