Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — The family of a Cambria County teenager has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against former East Taylor Township police chief Paul Deffenbaugh, and his municipality of employment, alleging that the boy was "violently" assaulted by the ex-law enforcement officer.
According to the lawsuit, the teen alleges that on April 8, 2026, he was reportedly walking home from school, along William Penn Avenue, when he was confronted by then Police Chief Deffenbaugh.
The lawsuit alleges that Deffenbaugh ordered the teen to stop under suspicion that he violated school policy and was in possession of a 'smoking device.'
When the 15-year-old attempted to continue walking home, the lawsuit alleges that Deffenbaugh escalated the confrontation by kicking the teen's legs out from under him, grabbing him by the hair and "violently" slamming him to the pavement.
The lawsuit states that the teen was then placed under arrest and was charged in juvenile court with multiple assault-related offenses. However, those charges were later dismissed in June.
READ MORE: wjactv.com/news/local/lawsuit-ex-east-taylor-twp-police-chief-accused-violently-assaulting-teenage-boy-federal-civil-suit-pennsylvania-allegations-cambria-county-former-resigned-smoking-device-underage-minor
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CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — The family of a Cambria County teenager has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against former East Taylor Township police chief Paul Deffenbaugh, and his municipality of employment, alleging that the boy was "violently" assaulted by the ex-law enforcement officer.
According to the lawsuit, the teen alleges that on April 8, 2026, he was reportedly walking home from school, along William Penn Avenue, when he was confronted by then Police Chief Deffenbaugh.
The lawsuit alleges that Deffenbaugh ordered the teen to stop under suspicion that he violated school policy and was in possession of a 'smoking device.'
When the 15-year-old attempted to continue walking home, the lawsuit alleges that Deffenbaugh escalated the confrontation by kicking the teen's legs out from under him, grabbing him by the hair and "violently" slamming him to the pavement.
The lawsuit states that the teen was then placed under arrest and was charged in juvenile court with multiple assault-related offenses. However, those charges were later dismissed in June.
READ MORE: wjactv.com/news/local/lawsuit-ex-east-taylor-twp-police-chief-accused-violently-assaulting-teenage-boy-federal-civil-suit-pennsylvania-allegations-cambria-county-former-resigned-smoking-device-underage-minor
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:
WJAC on Facebook: facebook.com/WJACTV
WJAC on Twitter: https://x.com/wjactv
Subscribe to WJAC on YouTube: youtube.com/@wjactv4598?si=LD80zM5DgPUq4H1z
For more information, visit wjactv.com
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@wjactv.com
Call the Newsroom: 814.255.7650
WJAC is a PA based station and a NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group.
#Pennsylvania #Johnstown #News #JohnstownNews #PennsylvaniaNews #PANews #LocalNews #WJAC #WJACTV #WJACNews #6News #NBC6News
