Former Waynesburg police officer arrested for burglary, assault

A former Waynesburg police officer was arraigned today in Greene County on charges of burglary, simple assault and public intoxication for an incident that occurred while he was an active member of the borough’s department.
Asa Richard Winters, 29, of Waynesburg, is accused of entering the residence of Tanner Downing, 23, also of Waynesburg, in the early hours of Dec. 31 while intoxicated and assaulting him over an alleged affair with Winters’ ex-girlfriend, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Stephen J. Adametz, special agent with the state Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
The criminal complaint alleges Downing woke up to discover Winters and another man, Alex Crown, in his 62 South Rich Hill Street apartment, standing his bedroom uninvited.
Winters allegedly challenged Downing to a fight, accusing him of sleeping with his ex-girlfriend. Downing told investigators he explained to Winters he never had a relationship with the woman in question, that it was his roommate who had dated Winters’ former girlfriend.
According to the complaint, Winters attacked Downing with closed fists, until Downing convinced him to check for a guy named “Seth” who might be involved with the ex-girlfriend.
The complaint states Winters then left, Downing locked the doors and went back to bed, and Winters re-appeared outside yelling for Downing to come out and fight some time later.
Downing reported the incident to state police and Waynesburg Police later that day, the complaint states. Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox reviewed the case and referred it to the Attorney General’s office, citing a conflict of interest.
Winters’ attorney, Brian Gorman, confirmed that Winters resigned from the borough’s police force earlier this year, but declined comment on the allegations.
Winters was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lou Dayich and released on $5,000 unsecured bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 21 at 10 a.m.