DeHart Legal Cases

Developing StoryLast updated JUN 25
SUMMARY

John DeHart, 56, was charged with the rape of a child in Pennsylvania for alleged incidents between 2011 and 2013, with his investigation beginning in December 2023, and his bail was set at $1 million. As of May 15, 2026, a judge denied bail for John DeHart, who is also accused of killing Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring Deputy Shelby Eggers, with prosecutors pursuing the death penalty. Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr. was indicted on 21 counts, including premeditated first-degree murder, on February 6, 2026, and is due back in court on June 15, 2026, for a change of venue motions hearing, with his trial set for September. A court ruling in April 2026 suppressed phone call evidence between Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr.'s girlfriend and investigators, citing a Miranda rights violation during the manhunt for the deputy murder suspect.

Timeline

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June 2026 — 2 developments

  1. John DeHart was arraigned in 2015 on charges including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statu…

    John DeHart was arraigned in 2015 on charges including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of children in a Pennsylvania case. He and his stepdaughter Sara Lee Miller were arrested in October 2015 on similar charges, including rape of a child. Police stated a woman had six children with DeHart, and he faced charges related to a relationship that began when she was 15.

  2. The final judgment in the 'PA v.

    The final judgment in the 'PA v. John Dehart / Sarah Miller' case, which involves acts against a child that occurred between 2011 and 2013, was reportedly set for April 15, 2026.

May 2026 — 4 developments

  1. A court ruling in April 2026 suppressed phone call evidence between Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr.

    A court ruling in April 2026 suppressed phone call evidence between Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr.'s girlfriend and investigators, citing a Miranda rights violation during the manhunt for the deputy murder suspect. DeHart Jr. has been indicted on 21 counts, including premeditated murder, and the state is seeking the death penalty.

  3. John DeHart, 56, has been charged with the rape of a child in Pennsylvania between 2011 and 2013, with his investigation beginning in December 2023.

    John DeHart, 56, has been charged with the rape of a child in Pennsylvania between 2011 and 2013, with his investigation beginning in December 2023. Separately, a judge denied a motion to suppress evidence in the case of Kenneth DeHart Jr., who is accused of killing Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring Deputy Shelby Eggers. Kenneth DeHart Jr. has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts, including first-degree murder, and his trial is set for September.

  4. A judge has denied bail for John DeHart, who is accused of killing Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring Deputy Shelby Eggers.

    A judge has denied bail for John DeHart, who is accused of killing Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring Deputy Shelby Eggers. Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty, and the judge rejected defense motions to suppress evidence, finding the deputies' actions justified. DeHart is being held without bond.

April 2026 — 2 developments

  2. John Dehart of Camano Island, Washington, has been charged with child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania for alleged incidents between 2011 and 2013.

    John Dehart of Camano Island, Washington, has been charged with child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania for alleged incidents between 2011 and 2013. Separately, John William “Johnny” Dehart, 69, of Strasburg, Virginia, died on April 19, 2026. Status hearings for the Pennsylvania case were scheduled for August 26, 2024, and August 25, 2025.

February 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr.

    Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr. entered not guilty pleas to all charges at his second arraignment hearing on February 18, 2026, for the murder of Blount County Deputy Greg McCowan and wounding of Deputy Shelby Eggers. A Blount County grand jury had indicted DeHart on 21 charges, including first-degree premeditated murder.

January 2026 — 1 developments

November 2025 — 2 developments

  1. Kenneth DeHart Jr.

    Kenneth DeHart Jr. will face a grand jury for a second time in connection with the 2024 killing of a Blount County deputy. A judge has ordered a new preliminary hearing for DeHart, who faces multiple charges including premeditated first-degree murder. His legal team is seeking this new hearing, citing alleged mistakes by his previous court-appointed public defenders and claims that DeHart was denied his constitutional right to counsel.

  2. A judge has ordered a new preliminary hearing for Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr.

    A judge has ordered a new preliminary hearing for Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr., who is accused of killing Deputy Greg Macauan and injuring Deputy Shelby Edgars. The case has also been sent back to the grand jury for a second time after a ruling that DeHart was denied his constitutional right to hire his own attorney.

June 2025 — 3 developments

  2. A status hearing was scheduled for August 26, 2024, in the case of PA v.

    A status hearing was scheduled for August 26, 2024, in the case of PA v. John Dehart/Sarah Miller, concerning charges of incest and child rape between 2011 and 2013. John Dehart, 56, and Sarah Miller, 34, are accused of forcing a child to perform sex acts. A subsequent status conference was rescheduled to September 26, 2024.

  3. A hearing on June 23, 2025, resulted in the continuation of both defendants' trial dates.

    A hearing on June 23, 2025, resulted in the continuation of both defendants' trial dates. A new status hearing, called the Criminal List, is scheduled for August 25, 2025.

September 2024 — 1 developments

May 2024 — 2 developments

April 2024 — 2 developments

  2. Charges are filed against John Dehart in Lancaster County, including rape of a child, statutory sexu…

    Charges are filed against John Dehart in Lancaster County, including rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, incest, indecent assault, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children, and terroristic threats.

December 2023 — 1 developments

  1. The East Hempfield Township Police Department is notified of the alleged abuse by Dehart and Miller …

    The East Hempfield Township Police Department is notified of the alleged abuse by Dehart and Miller to a juvenile victim, disclosed by a witness in a separate, unrelated investigation.

December 2014 — 1 developments

  1. Sarah Miller pleads guilty to corruption of minors, receiving a sentence of 11 to 23 months in prison with four years probation.

    Sarah Miller pleads guilty to corruption of minors, receiving a sentence of 11 to 23 months in prison with four years probation.

October 2014 — 2 developments

  1. John Dehart and Sarah Miller are accused of sexually abusing a child between 2011 and 2013, with the abuse coming to light in December 2023.

    John Dehart and Sarah Miller are accused of sexually abusing a child between 2011 and 2013, with the abuse coming to light in December 2023. In a separate case from 2014, John Dehart pleaded guilty to charges including endangering the welfare of children and indecent sexual intercourse.

  2. John Dehart pleads guilty in Luzerne County court to two counts of endangering the welfare of childr…

    John Dehart pleads guilty in Luzerne County court to two counts of endangering the welfare of children and one count of indecent sexual intercourse, related to a teenage girl over several years. He was sentenced to 4 to 8 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender.

January 2013 — 1 developments

  1. John Dehart is convicted in Pennsylvania for endangering the welfare of a child, receiving a sentence of 6 to 12 months in prison.

    John Dehart is convicted in Pennsylvania for endangering the welfare of a child, receiving a sentence of 6 to 12 months in prison.