Guard punched inmate in Allegheny County Jail cell, police say
An Allegheny County Jail guard has lost his job and been charged after he punched an inmate multiple times, authorities said.
Robert Veith, 49, of Plum, was conducting window cell checks Jan. 3 when the incident occurred, Allegheny County Police spokesman Jim Madalinsky said Monday.
Surveillance video showed Veith talking with an incarcerated man, who police did not name. During their conversation, Veith reached out and struck the man with his fist multiple times, Madalinsky said.
A responding supervisor deployed a Taser on the inmate, and Veith continued to strike him after the man had fallen to the ground, Madalinsky said.
After consulting with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, police charged Veith through a summons with harassment, official oppression and simple assault, Madalinsky said. His charges were not reflected Monday morning in court records.
Veith is no longer an employee of the Allegheny County Jail, Madalinsky said.
Officials with the Allegheny County Prison Employees Independent Union, which represents corrections officers, did not return a call Monday seeking comment.
Justin Vellucci is a TribLive reporter covering crime and public safety in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. A longtime freelance journalist and former reporter for the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, he worked as a general assignment reporter at the Trib from 2006 to 2009 and returned in 2022. He can be reached at jvellucci@triblive.com.
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