A former West Mead Township police officer has been sentenced to jail for a 2022 domestic violence case at his home, but he remains free on bond pending an appeal.
Seth William Wise, 33, was sentenced Monday by Senior Judge Christopher St. John of Mercer County to a total of 30 days to 23 months in the Crawford County Correctional Facility, Saegertown, for simple assault and harassment.
Crawford County’s three judges — John Spataro, Francis Schultz and Mark Stevens — had recused themselves from hearing the case. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General prosecuted the case as Crawford County District Attorney Paula DiGiacomo had recused her office.
In July 2023, Meadville Police Department charged Wise for an Aug. 13, 2022, assault on his then-girlfriend at Wise’s Meadville home after the two had been drinking that day.
Wise was convicted of a misdemeanor count of simple assault and a summary count harassment in county court following a weeklong jury in October 2024. However, the jury found him not guilty on two other charges — false imprisonment and intimidating a witness or victim to withhold testimony.
Wise was a part-time West Mead officer at the time of the assault, having joined the department in December 2021. He was placed on administrative leave after the assault was reported to authorities in April 2023 and an investigation began. West Mead Township Board of Supervisors accepted Wise’s formal resignation from the department at the board’s Dec. 10, 2024, meeting.
When questioned by the judge about his current employment, Wise said he was working as a project coordinator for an oil and gas pipeline construction firm and also working for a pizza company. Wise told the judge that with the misdemeanor conviction, he would not be eligible for potential employment as a police officer for five years.
Wise declined to make any additional comments to the court about the case when asked.
At Monday’s sentencing, Judge St. John told Wise the case “calls out for a jail sentence,” noting the extent of documented injuries the woman sustained including two black eyes.
St. John sentenced Wise to 30 days to 23 months in jail plus court costs with Wise being eligible for work release. Wise will be paroled at the minimum sentence provided he has no misconducts in jail or on work release.
Under the sentencing order, Wise must undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any behavior treatment program, if prescribed. He also must enroll and complete an anger management program and have no contact with the victim or two others who testified at the trial.
St. John did approve Wise remaining free on $5,000 unsecured bond pending an appeal of his conviction.
Stanley Booker, Wise’s defense attorney, told the court that an appeal would be filed with the court within the required 10-day appeal period following sentencing.