The Pennsylvania Attorney General says Somerset County Sheriff Dustin Weir made inappropriate sexual remarks to a 15-year-old girl during a “Shop With a Cop” event last December.

The allegations led Pennsylvania State Police to charge Weir, 46, on Thursday with a single misdemeanor count of corruption of minors.

According to a release from the AG’s office, Weir pressured the 15-year-old into a Walmart aisle where condoms were sold, then attempted to photograph the girl next to the condoms. Weir also directed explicit comments and questions to the girl, the release said.

In the aisle, the release said Weir made sexual remarks and asked if the girl had used condoms or had sex yet.

He also mentioned what he would do if he were the girl’s boyfriend, according to the release.

In comments obtained by TribLive news partner WTAE, Weir’s attorney, Matthew Zatko, called the allegations “baseless,” saying the sheriff “absolutely denies all of them.”

Zatko said the allegations may have emerged from a “disgruntled ex-employee” of the department, and several witnesses were present at the event last December.

“On behalf of Sheriff Dusty Weir, we absolutely welcome the opportunity to clear Dusty’s name of each and every one of these false and misleading allegations,” Zatko’s statement concluded.

The girl had been assisting with a photo booth at the “Shop With a Cop” event, which partners school-age children and with local law enforcement to shop.

Though she wanted to remain at the booth, the girl felt pressured by Weir and followed him to the condoms area after the sheriff approached her, the release said.

According to Somerset “Shop With a Cop,” the children who attend the events are often the “victim of a crime, witnessed or experienced trauma or have dealt with other unfortunate circumstances.”

In a Thursday statement, the organization said it was “deeply saddened and disturbed” by the allegations, and it’s fully cooperating with investigators.

“We want to make it absolutely clear that any form of misconduct, exploitation or inappropriate behavior toward a child is unacceptable and will never be tolerated within our organization,” the organization said.

Attorney General Dave Sunday said in the release that Weir’s alleged conduct “harms the image and reputation of law enforcement officers.”

“Criminal behavior will not be tolerated, regardless of occupation, title, or rank,” Sunday said.

Weir has worked in the sheriff’s office since 2001. He began his tenure as chief in 2021 in an acting position until he was elected in 2023.

Weir’s preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.