Former Leechburg police chief released from county jail after serving sentence

Former Leechburg police chief Mike Diebold walked out of the Westmoreland County Prison a free man just before noon Sunday.

Diebold, 41, wearing a white T-shirt, cargo shorts and a baseball cap, said community members shouldn’t be concerned about his release.

“I don’t think they have anything to worry about and when the time is right, through my attorney, we’ll make the appropriate statements,” he said.

Diebold was released from the Hempfield lockup after a Westmoreland County judge sentenced him to nine to 23 months in jail followed by three years of probation for attempting to solicit underage sex via the internet.

He actually was communicating with an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl. He was arrested in January 2018 by state attorney general’s agents in a sting in Lower Burrell and pleaded guilty in December.

He is required to register under Megan’s Law as a sex offender.

Diebold’s arrest came six months after a fireworks accident blew off part of his left arm on July 24, 2017. He had tried to return to duty as a police officer with an artificial arm. Prior to his arrest and after the accident, he married his girlfriend, Danielle Reinke, the mother of his then-infant son. She is seeking a divorce.

Attorney Duke George said Diebold did everything he was supposed to while in jail.

“He paid his debt and now he gets to get on with his life,” George said.

A quiet Sunday in Leechburg

Diebold’s mother picked him up at the county jail. He will work at her appliance store and live at her home on Siberian Avenue in Leechburg.

It was quiet along there Sunday morning while jail officials prepared for Diebold’s release.

Community members have expressed concerns about his return.

Mayor Wayne Dobos thinks the cold weather kept people away. Previous reports indicated concerned residents may protest.

Dobos said the town will just have to play it by ear.

“This is another new experience,” he said. “Not a pleasant one.”

Neighbor Roger Waldenville has lived on Siberian Avenue for 30 years. He said as long as Diebold doesn’t bother him, he doesn’t have much to say about his release.

He does worry about Diebold’s access to computers.

“It’s always a concern,” Waldenville said.

Part of Diebold’s sentence requires that he be allowed to use the internet only for his employment. He is not permitted to use social media.

John Truett, who owns The Old Parsonage bed and breakfast, down the street from where Diebold will be living, said he isn’t concerned it will affect him or his business.

“I’ve known him since I’ve lived here,” he said. “It’s unfortunate.”

Truett said he mostly just wants to stay out of it.

“It’s just sad to hear,” he said.

Resident expresses outrage

Resident Christopher Barna said Sunday night that he’s not afraid to speak out about how he feels about Diebold’s release. He worries residents aren’t speaking up about how concerned they really are.

“We’re just straight outraged about this,” he said. “There is absolutely nothing we can do.”

Barna said he has three children, a son and two young daughters, and hates to think Diebold will be so close to the schools in Leechburg.

“My concern is it’s going to happen again,” he said. “We have everything to worry about.”

Barna said there’s no easy way out because he doesn’t want to uproot his family, and running Diebold out of town only pushes the concerns onto another community.

“I don’t think there really is anything positive that can come out of this,” he said. “If he moves, he’s just going to move into someone else’s neighborhood.”

Barna said he and other residents are committed to remaining vigilant.

Wife hopes to move on

Diebold’s estranged wife only had a few thoughts to share on his release.

“It is what it is,” Reinke said. “I hope to put this behind and move on with life.”

Reinke said she worries about the effect it will have on their young son. She said she wishes Diebold would own up to his actions and get the help he needs rather than try to convince people he’s innocent.

“I hope some day he can,” she said.

Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Emily at 724-226-4680, emilybalser@tribweb.com or via Twitter @emilybalser. Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta. Freelance writer Joyce Hanz contributed to this report.