Pa. police plead not guilty to cover-up in probe of immigrant attack by high school athletes

Pa. police accused of cover-up in immigrant attack

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Three Pennsylvania police officers have pleaded not guilty in connection with an alleged cover-up in the fatal beating of a Mexican immigrant.

Shenandoah Police Chief Matthew Nestor and two of his officers face charges including witness tampering and lying to the FBI in the 2008 death of Luis Ramirez. They will be held until a bail hearing Wednesday.

A federal indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses the three of wrongdoing in the investigation into Ramirez’s death. The Mexican immigrant died after being beaten by a group of teenagers in July 2008.

The indictment also charges two of the teens with a hate crime for allegedly shouting racial epithets at Ramirez as the beat him.

A fourth officer faces charges of extortion along with Neston in another matter. He also pleaded not guilty to all charges.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — The Associated Press has withdrawn its story about Pennsylvania police officers charged with a cover-up in the investigation of a fatal attack on an immigrant. Only three officers, not four, are charged with a cover-up in the beating investigation. The fourth has been charged with extortion and civil rights violations in a separate indictment. His name is Jamie Gennarini, not James Gennarini.

The AP