Pocono News Section

Former Shenandoah Police Chief Released from Prison

Former Shenandoah Police Chief Released from Prison - Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 6:41PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 @ 06:41pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - The former police chief of Shenandoah is out of prison tonight. A federal judge ruled Thursday morning that Matthew Nestor should be released from custody. He is awaiting trial on obstruction and exortion charges.

Nestor walked out of the Lackawanna County prison where he was being held just before 4:00 PM. He did not respond to reporter questions.

Federal prosecutors say Nestor coordinated and led the cover-up into the death of Luis Ramirez in the summer of 2008. Nestor's attorney says that is not true.

"When Chief Nestor was notified that there may be a conflict regarding one of his officers being involved, he immediately called the Schuylkill County Communications Center and immediately requested the assistance of District Attorney James Goodman," Nestor's attorney Joseph Nahas said.

Nestor's father, Raymond Nestor, was in the courthouse Thursday and testified on his son's behalf. He declined to comment as he left the courthouse.

Besides obstruction charges in connection with the Ramirez death investigation, Nestor is also charged with exortion of gambling money and intimidating an FBI witness in seperate cases.

Prosecutors tried unsuccessfully to use those examples as a reason Nestor should stay in prison.

"My client has been no threat to anyone. My client has been aware of this investigation since 2007 as the record points out and has done nothing to impede that investigation. I think it's clear," Nahas said.

Nestor has resigned from his position as police chief in Shenandoah. As conditions of his release, he will be on home confinement and will not be able to talk to any other witnesses in the case.

"I think he's just relieved and happy to be able to go home and see his son and be with his son and we'll let the process play out as it will," Nahas said.

In court Thursday morning, we learned Nestor does have a job waiting for him. He will be a restaurant cook.

Three other police officers from the Shenandoah police department were also brought up on federal charges. They have all been released pending trial.