Former Williamsport Police Officer Sentenced to Probation for Unlawful Use of a Computer

Former Williamsport Bureau of Police Cpl. Eric B. Derr was spared jail time when Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor sentenced him to 28 months’ probation Wednesday afternoon.

After a three-day trial in August, Derr was convicted of 28 counts of unlawful use of a computer for exceeding his authority in the use of the state JNET system from 2015 to 2019.

The system is intended solely for use by the police to collect data in the context of official investigations.

Derr was found not guilty of a misdemeanor charge of unaffected falsification to authorities, tampering with public records and obstructing the administration of justice in other incidents.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, but I never thought I’d get the chance to tell you in person in a courtroom,” said one victim during an impact statement, her mother by her side for emotional support.

She recounted an incident in which she said Derr sat outside her mother’s workplace and tried to intimidate her, highlighting the irony that Derr did so in a police car emblazoned with the words: ‘to serve and protect’.

She lamented that Derr has not once expressed remorse for his actions.

“The jury did not believe in your fraudster behavior,” the victim said to Derr, referring to him as a “predator that all women should fear.”

The courtroom was packed with Derr supporters.

A family friend with a long history in law enforcement stated that Derr never showed the signs of being a violent criminal that law enforcement officers are trained to be.

‘Derr earned my trust without knowing he was even tested’ the friend said, emphasizing Derr’s dedication to his friends and family. “The impact of removing a pillar of a family like Eric is immeasurable.”

Derr’s ex-wife and mother of his older children called him her best friend and emphasized the children’s need to have their father in their lives.

“What consequences will this have for the children mentally, in their schoolwork? Please don’t send an incredible father to jail.” she begged.

A second family friend said Derr was like a father to her own children, and claimed she was too “I am proud to call him part of my village.”

Support for Derr wasn’t limited to family and friends, as two former colleagues took the stand for him.

Officer Nick Carrita and Officer Ericka Heath, both of the city police department, spoke enthusiastically and often emotionally about their interactions with Derr over the years, calling him a mentor both on and off the job, as well as a true friend.

Heath, who said she had grown up “with awe” of law enforcement, said her confidence had been in the system “destroyed.”

“I have never seen law enforcement weaponized with as much malice as it is in this case,” she said.

“If I wasn’t his lawyer, I’d be a character witness for Eric.” Attorney Robert Hoffa told the judge, reflecting on the testimony of the many character witnesses.

Deputy Attorney General Rebecca A. Elo countered that the Eric Derr heard about in that day’s proceedings was very different from the one heard at trial.

“It is incredibly sad to hear that these young, impressionable officers are taking the stand in his defense,” Elo said, calling Derr an “absolute disgrace to the uniform.”

“Not only did those who used the system target the victims, but so did the Williamsport Bureau of Police, which has undergone extreme scrutiny and damaged their reputation.” Elo said. “These types of actions are absolutely unacceptable when we entrust individuals with so much power.”

“I’m not trying to downplay what Mr. Derr did,” Saylor said, noting that a jury found he breached his duty by using the computer system as he did.

But he had to weigh several things in crafting his sentence, Saylor said, including the recognition Derr had received for his work and the hardships many former law enforcement officers face in prison.

The first 12 months of Derr’s probation will be served under house arrest, the judge ruled. He also had to pay a $500 fine.