Acquitted on Sexual Assault Charge | Former Altoona Deputy Fire Chief WTAJ

ALTOONA, Pennsylvania (WTAJ) — A jury acquitted a former Altoona Fire Chief of charges for sexually assaulting an underage girl.

Matthew Detrich, 52, was acquitted of all charges related to the case on Thursday afternoon, December 8.

“These cases are very difficult for the victims who have the courage to come forward. I will fight for you,” Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks said after the verdict.

Detrich was indicted in July 2021 after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl from 2014 to early 2016.