A former Allegheny County detective initially charged with simple assault and harassment after being accused of punching two women at an Export bar last year instead was given a lesser summary citation in court this week.
Melanie Jones, spokeswoman for Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, said the initial charges were withdrawn following a consultation with the victims. She would not comment further on the case or the office’s decision to drop the more serious charges.
Raymond Bonacci, 57, of Elizabeth was at Joey’s the Edge bar on Nov. 29 when, state police say, he punched one woman in the mouth and a second woman in the head, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
One of the women was knocked unconscious, police said.
Before a scheduled preliminary hearing Tuesday morning, Westmoreland County prosecutors withdrew a charge of misdemeanor simple assault and two charges of harassment, refiling a single summary citation for harassment and unwanted physical contact. For summary offenses, a conviction can result in a fine of up to $300 and a sentence of up to 90 days in jail.
Bonacci retired from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office in 2023, after being charged with providing testosterone and Adderall to his teenage son while his son was playing high school football. Those charges were dismissed in late September.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated March 28 to indicate that Bonacci is no longer employed with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office.
