Fifteen months.
That is how long Shawn Denning, 44, of Delmont will spend in a federal prison.
The former Greensburg police chief was sentenced Thursday on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
Perhaps U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon was being ironic in arriving at that number. Perhaps it is just coincidental that after Denning connected a government informant with distributors in California, the operation continued for a period of time. How long was that period of time?
Fifteen months.
Denning, the man in charge of law enforcement and public safety in the Westmoreland County seat, was simultaneously acting as a kind of concierge for drug buys, with out-of-town supplier and instructions on payment. Like a bartender with a list of beers on tap, he had what is described as a menu of the available drugs.
In April 2024, Denning pleaded guilty.
For 12 months, he has walked free on bond while awaiting his sentencing. He continues to do so while awaiting an order to surrender to authorities for the 15 months he will spend in a different kind of uniform, behind bars with others who made the same bad choices.
That’s an end his attorney tried to avoid, asking that Denning not serve prison time. Steven Townsend argued his client made no profit from his crimes.
“He took 100% risk … for no gain, zero gain,” Townsend said.
That makes the decision confusing and arguably stupid. It is no less criminal.
The fact that Denning’s actions in this case make no sense does not negate the fact that he torched his reputation and a career in public service. It does not change the fact that his betrayal of his responsibilities tarnished the name of both the city of Greensburg and the department he helmed.
It is all the more egregious because he subsequently involved another Greensburg police officer. Regina McAtee, 52, of New Kensington, who was suspended and later retired, bought methamphetamine online with Denning’s help. He then bought some of those pills from her after delivery.
Denning isn’t the first police officer to be arrested. He’s not likely to be the last to serve time.
But if he cannot be an example of how to conduct oneself as a leader of his team and an enforcer of the law, perhaps he can be an object lesson in what not to do. He can illustrate how bad decisions can infect even those in positions of authority and responsibility. He can demonstrate how it can all go wrong.
And all it takes is 15 months.