A State Trooper working out of Troop L’s Hamburg barracks has been charged by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office with intimidating a potential witness from Schuylkill County in a child abuse investigation.
According to court documents, authorities began investigating Christopher Young, 34, of South Heidelberg Township, Berks County, in June 2024 in connection with a child abuse case.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Office later assumed jurisdiction. In early February 2025, Young allegedly made repeated distressing statements to a witness in that case regarding an ongoing investigation, including threats of self-harm and suicide.
On February 24, law enforcement reportedly received reports that Young was repeatedly contacting the witness and their family members. Authorities later determined he had called the witness 32 times and sent multiple text messages. Due to the nature of the communications, an involuntary mental health commitment was sought, and officers attempted to locate Young.
Police say they later tracked Young’s vehicle near the witness’ residence in Auburn, Schuylkill County, and after a brief search, found him walking near the home. He was taken into custody without incident. Officers recovered a loaded 9mm Glock handgun and a black folding pocketknife from his person.
Young was subsequently transported to Reading Hospital for evaluation under the involuntary commitment order.
Young was arraigned Tuesday afternoon before District Magistrate Judge AJ Serina and denied bail because he was deemed a danger to himself and others. He’s been charged with witness intimidation, a third-degree felony, and misdemeanor counts of stalking and loitering/prowling at night. A preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for April 15.
“These charges outline disturbing and deliberate attempts to influence witness cooperation in a very serious police matter,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday says in a statement. “As a sworn officer with an oath to protect the community, the defendant’s alleged behavior will not be tolerated.”
Sunday says the child abuse investigation is ongoing.
Young enlisted with State Police in 2017 and was assigned to the Hamburg barracks.
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