Westmoreland Judge Criticizes Local Casino’s Role in Crime Trends

A Westmoreland County judge expressed concern about what he saw as an increasing number of crimes tied to the casino at Westmoreland Mall. He shared these thoughts while sentencing a Jeannette man caught with a loaded gun while playing blackjack at Live! Casino Pittsburgh.

Man Sentenced to Probation After Being Caught with Gun at Hempfield Casino

Kenneth J. Czarnecki, 26, received a sentence this week of two years’ probation, including one year of house arrest, after he admitted guilt to carrying a firearm without a license. Officials said they found him with a loaded Sig Sauer gun in his waistband during his visit to the casino on February 2, 2021, reported Trib Live.

Investigators said Czarnecki had faced a 24-hour ban from the casino after he entered with a weapon. Before this ban ended, he came back, and people saw him with a gun again. Police mentioned he did not have a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm.

Later, Czarnecki told reporters he did not plan to use the weapon and said he just forgot to take it off before he went into the casino. He stressed that he did not want to hurt anyone and had no plans to scare people.

Judge Flags Crime Patterns Around Hempfield Casino

At the hearing, Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger used the case to shine a light on what he called an ongoing problem with crime around the Hempfield gaming facility, which started operating in late 2020. The judge noted that he often handles cases that seem to originate from events at or near the casino. He said that while the business might bring money to some, it also appears to draw issues related to gambling, drug use, and guns.

Krieger mentioned that he saw the effects of casino-related activities and felt sorry that its presence had brought what he called more “nonsense” to the area.

A Live! Casino Pittsburgh spokesperson chose not to address the judge’s comments. Instead, Tom Meinert pointed to evidence given at a state licensing hearing months ago. There, officials showed statistics indicating that crime in the area has dropped since the casino started operating. The casino also stressed its efforts to boost safety and security across the property and the nearby mall.

Czarnecki’s punishment will run at the same time as any sentences from two separate drunk driving cases still in progress. His probation rules ban him from owning guns and require him to follow home monitoring rules during his house arrest.