A formal complaint was issued by a West Reading Patrolman accusing 35-year-old Matthew R. Beighley of an assault with a taser. A DVD was also given to investigators, allegedly depicting the incident.
After reviewing the DVD, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams decided to launch a criminal investigation into the matter. During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Sgt. Beighley used a department issued taser for what they say are "unlawful purposes" - using the Taser X26 on three people during three separate occasions.
According to the report from the DA, between May 2009 and March 22, 2011, Sgt. Beighley used the taser inside the West Reading Police Department while he was on duty. The victims were two West Reading Police Officers. The third incident occurred at Sgt. Beighley's father's residence in Topton, where his father was the victim of the tasing.
Sgt. Beighley surrendered to detectives on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. He is charged with the use or possession of an electronic incapacitation device (3 misdemeanor counts), official oppression (3 misdemeanor counts), and harassment (3 summary counts).
Bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
