More cases to be dismissed after Centre County review of ex-officer’s false info in reports
Centre County prosecutors now expect to dismiss eight or nine criminal cases — roughly double what was initially disclosed — after a review prompted by a former Spring Township police officer’s admission that he knowingly included false information in some DUI arrest reports.
The review began in April after prosecutors revealed Stephen T. Kutches admitted he falsely reported observing a key sign of impairment in some early DUI arrests and recorded a person over the phone without their consent.
Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said Kutches made the disclosures in a pre-employment questionnaire for a job with the Pennsylvania State Police.
Unable to rely on his testimony, Centre County Deputy District Attorney Matt Metzger said prosecutors have been reviewing about 100 cases connected to the former officer.
In cases where documents and information are still available, Metzger said there was independent evidence such as portable breath tests or blood test results that showed people were impaired in most instances — about 90 of the 100.
There have been other cases, particularly those handled through a pretrial diversion program, where the supporting evidence is no longer available to be evaluated. In those instances, Metzger said the charges were dropped and that he is working with defense attorneys to avoid any collateral consequences involving the state Department of Transportation.
Cantorna previously told the Centre Daily Times there was no indication of wrongful arrests, though he acknowledged the disclosure called Kutches’ credibility into question.
Notices were sent months ago to every defendant and defense attorney connected to one of Kutches’ investigations. Metzger said prosecutors will continue to review cases if more people come forward.
“If anybody else thinks that they have a case that might have been affected, they can reach out to the Centre County District Attorney’s Office or their former attorneys and we will look over their case,” Metzger said.
Kutches was hired by Spring Township police in December 2021. He was working as a patrolman as of early February and resigned effective April 18.
Former police Chief Adam Salyards said he received information about the reports in late March, immediately initiated an internal affairs investigation and placed Kutches on administrative leave. He then forwarded all information to county prosecutors.
Cantorna said his office had no prior concerns with Kutches’ credibility, and that neither supervisors nor prosecutors had a reason to doubt the reports.
He also said in late April that the state attorney general’s office agreed to accept an investigation into the matter. The status of that probe is unclear. An email sent Friday morning to state Attorney General Dave Sunday’s office was not immediately returned.
Attempts to reach Kutches have been unsuccessful. A man who previously answered a phone call at a number listed for Kutches disconnected when reached by a CDT reporter, and an earlier voicemail left at the same phone number has not been returned.
