A detective from Allegheny County who was first charged with simple assault and harassment for allegedly hitting two women at a bar in Export last year instead received a summary citation in court this week.
Melanie Jones, spokesperson for Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, stated that the original charges were dropped after discussing with the victims. She declined to provide further details about the case.
Raymond Bonacci, 57, of Elizabeth, was at Joey’s the Edge bar on Nov. 29, 2023, when state police alleged he struck one woman in the mouth and another in the head, according to a criminal complaint.
Authorities reported that one of the women sustained injuries and was rendered unconscious.
Before a scheduled preliminary hearing on Tuesday morning, Westmoreland County prosecutors withdrew a charge of misdemeanor simple assault and two charges of harassment. Instead, they filed a single summary citation for harassment and unwanted physical contact. Summary offenses can result in a fine of up to $300 and a maximum jail term of 90 days upon conviction.
Bonacci briefly left the district attorney’s office in 2023, following accusations of providing testosterone and Adderall to his teenage son while his son was involved in high school football. Those charges were dropped in late September, and Bonacci was rehired by the DA’s office soon after.
