DeHart Legal Cases and Updates
A motion to suppress evidence related to the traffic stop and arrest of Kenneth DeHart Jr., accused of killing Deputy Greg McCowan and wounding Deputy Shelby Eggers on February 8, 2024, was denied in May 2026. As of May 2026, a court ruling in April 2026 suppressed phone call evidence between Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr.'s girlfriend and investigators due to a Miranda rights violation. DeHart Jr. has been indicted on 21 counts, including premeditated murder, and the state is seeking the death penalty, with his trial set for September. Separately, John DeHart, 56, faces charges of rape of a child in Pennsylvania for alleged incidents between 2011 and 2013, with his bail set at $1 million and a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 21, 2024.
Timeline
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July 2026 — 1 developments
Kenneth DeHart Jr. Evidence Suppression Motion Denied in May 2026
A motion to suppress evidence related to the traffic stop and arrest of Kenneth DeHart Jr. was denied in May 2026. Kenneth DeHart Jr. is accused of killing Deputy Greg McCowan and wounding Deputy Shelby Eggers during a traffic stop on February 8, 2024, and faces the death penalty.
June 2026 — 2 developments
John DeHart arraigned on sex charges in 2015 Pennsylvania case
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.
Final Judgment Reportedly Set for April 15, 2026, in PA v. John Dehart Case
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
Court Suppresses Evidence in Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr. Murder Case
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.
Kenneth DeHart Jr. indicted on murder charges; John DeHart's bail set at $1 million
Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr. was indicted on 21 counts, including premeditated first-degree murder, on February 6, 2026. He is due back in court on June 15, 2026, for a change of venue motions hearing. Separately, John DeHart's bail was set at $1 million, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 21, 2024.
John DeHart charged with child rape; judge denies evidence suppression in deputy shooting case
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.
John Dehart denied bail, faces death penalty in Blount County deputy shooting case
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
John Dehart faces $1M bail, preliminary hearing set in Pennsylvania child abuse case
John Dehart has been charged with alleged sexual abuse of a minor in Pennsylvania between 2011 and 2013. His bail was set at $1 million, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2024.
John Dehart Charged in PA Child Abuse Case; Separate John Dehart Dies in VA
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
Kenneth DeHart Jr. pleads not guilty to murder of Deputy McCowan and wounding of Deputy Eggers
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.
Kenneth DeHart Jr. to be arraigned on 21 charges in deputy shooting
Kenneth DeHart Jr., charged in the fatal shooting of Deputy Greg McCowan and the injury of another deputy, is scheduled for arraignment on 21 charges on Wednesday, February 18.
January 2026 — 1 developments
Judge denies DeHart's motion to move grand jury selection outside Blount County
Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr. is facing over a dozen charges, including premeditated first-degree murder, for the killing of Deputy Greg McCowan in February 2024. His legal team's motion to have the grand jury selected from outside Blount County was denied by a judge.
November 2025 — 2 developments
Kenneth DeHart Jr. to face grand jury again in deputy killing after judge orders new hearing
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.
Judge orders new preliminary hearing for Kenneth DeHart Jr. in deputy killing case
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
Trial Dates Continued for John Dehart and Sarah Miller in Child Sexual Abuse Case
For the PA v. John Dehart and Sarah Miller cases, trial dates were continued on June 23, 2025. A status hearing initially set for August 25, 2025, was rescheduled to October 20, 2025. John Dehart and Sarah Miller face charges related to alleged sexual abuse of a child between 2011 and 2013.
PA v. Dehart/Miller Incest and Child Rape Case Status Hearing Rescheduled to September 26
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.
Court Continues Defendants' Trial Dates, Schedules New Criminal List for August 25
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
Sarah Miller's bail set at $1 million; status conference rescheduled for September 26
Sarah Miller's bail was set at $1 million on May 9, 2024, and she remains incarcerated. A status conference for both John Dehart and Sarah Miller was initially scheduled for August 26, 2024, and later rescheduled for September 26, 2024.
May 2024 — 2 developments
John Dehart arrested in Philadelphia, Sarah Miller taken into custody in Luzerne County
John Dehart was arrested in Philadelphia on April 18 and extradited to Lancaster County. Sarah Miller was taken into custody in Luzerne County on May 8, 2024, and arraigned with a $1 million bail.
Sarah Miller taken into custody
Sarah Miller is taken into custody.
April 2024 — 2 developments
John Dehart arrested in Philadelphia, extradited to Lancaster County
John Dehart is taken into custody in Philadelphia and subsequently extradited to Lancaster County.
John Dehart charged with child rape, sexual assault, incest, and other offenses in Lancaster County
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
East Hempfield Police Notified of Alleged Abuse by Dehart and Miller to Juvenile
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
Sarah Miller pleads guilty to corruption of minors, sentenced to 11-23 months in prison
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
John Dehart and Sarah Miller Accused of Child Sexual Abuse
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.
John Dehart Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment, Indecent Sexual Intercourse in Luzerne County
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
John Dehart convicted in Pennsylvania for child endangerment, sentenced to 6-12 months
John Dehart is convicted in Pennsylvania for endangering the welfare of a child, receiving a sentence of 6 to 12 months in prison.