Lebanon County Chief Detective Jonathan Hess was arrested on Oct. 5 in Manheim Borough for driving under the influence, according to court records.
The charges came to light Friday, as Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf put out a statement throwing her support behind Hess, who has no relation to the DA.
According to court records, the detective is charged with two misdemeanors for first offense DUI, including one for having a .16+ BAC.
Hess Graf said Detective Hess was arrested by Manheim Borough police “as he drove home on a Saturday evening.” The incident occurred outside of work hours and involved his private vehicle, she said.
In her statement, Hess Graf linked the DUI to trauma and stress endured by the detective over his 21-year police career.
Since taking over as chief county detective in 2021, Hess has “overseen the investigation into the tragic murder of Lt. William Lebo, every homicide within the County, and every reported instance of child abuse and sexual assault,” the DA said in her statement.
Hess Graf said that when arrested, the detective cooperated with police and will face his charges in court like other citizens.
She said that her office’s work with the James Biever Memorial Foundation to establish a countywide Critical Incident Stress Management team was undertaken to give police a chance to deal with the trauma and stress they experience on the job by speaking to other cops who are trained to be peer counselors.
As a first-time offender, Hess is expected to be eligible for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition with conditions such as probation, an alcohol assessment, and mandatory enrollment in Alcohol Highway Safety School classes.
Hess is represented in the case by Lancaster-based attorney Raymond Ellsworth Stout III. He is scheduled to appear in front of Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas President Judge David L. Ashworth on Oct. 31 for a combined preliminary arraignment and preliminary hearing.
“The easy decision would be to end the professional relationship,” said Hess Graf. “What is easy, however, is not often right. We believe in second chances – it’s the only way our office can prosecute cases and effectuate true ‘justice.'”
Hess Graf said Hess is among Lebanon County’s finest police officers, and the detective she’d want investigating the crime if one of her own family members was the victim.
“We cannot underestimate the daily stress and pressure our law enforcement officers encounter,” she said. “I am confident that Chief Hess will face his charges and emerge a better, stronger version of himself.
“Our office, and I stand with him and beside him.”
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