Oct 28, 2002 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

PITTSBURGH – The successful conviction of a Connellsville man has brought recognition to a federal prosecutor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaun Sweeney, who prosecuted Joseph P. Minerd, was honored for his work by the Law Enforcement Agency Directors of the Western District of Pennsylvania during a recent awards ceremony that honored 18 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Minerd was sentenced to life in prison in May for the Jan. 1, 1999, pipe-bomb killing of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Deana Kay Mitts, and her 3-year-old daughter, Kayla Ashley Mitts.

Minerd is incarcerated at the federal prison in Lewisburg.

It was the first death-penalty case prosecuted in the Western District.

“I was very surprised,” said Sweeney of the honor. “I had no idea that I had been nominated.”

U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, the chief prosecutor for the Western District, submitted his name for consideration.

“The successful prosecution of Joseph Minerd required the hard work and dedication of many individuals, but Shaun’s diligence, persistence and courtroom skills were instrumental in turning an almost perfect crime into a conviction and life sentence for (Minerd),” said Buchanan. “As one of the most valued members of our staff, Shaun truly deserved this recognition.”

While he was thrust into the spotlight, Sweeney, a 12-year veteran with the U.S. attorney’s office, credited those who conducted the investigation and provided information and testimony for making the case easier to prosecute.

“Everyone was refreshingly cooperative, unlike those you sometimes run into in bigger cities where they are sometimes not so cooperative with law enforcement agencies,” he said. “The Connellsville police chief allowed (former Det. Lt.) Tom Cesario time to do what he needed to do, and everyone else was so willing to help.

“Witnesses from Fayette and Westmoreland counties, without exception, came willingly into Pittsburgh several times to testify at various court hearings. Their cooperation and truthful testimony made my job easier.”

Cesario initially contacted the federal Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) when he suspected the explosion was caused by a pipe bomb rather than by faulty natural gas appliances as determined by other investigators. The involvement of the federal agency moved the subsequent trial to the Western District level.

Cesario said the recognition of Sweeney by his peers was well-deserved.

“As investigators, we build a case using bits of information accumulated to identify a suspect,” he said. “When we feel that we have enough probable cause and make an arrest, it’s up to the prosecutor to mold that information into a case that can be won at trial.

“I watched as Shaun went through that process of weighing the importance of the pieces of information that (ATF agent) Bob Miller and I brought to him. He spent many long days and nights preparing for this trial and I came to know that he dedicates himself in the same way to every case that he prosecutes.”

Miller was similarly recognized by the same agency last year for his work on the Minerd case.

Because of his success record of prosecutions in connection with arsons and bombings, Sweeney will continue to oversee similar cases in the future, but additionally will be handling the federal prosecutions of white-collar crimes, such as public corruption, health care, computer and insurance fraud.

“It’s gratifying to be recognized for your work by those who realize what that work entails,” said Sweeney.