Convicted Pagan accused of violating court order

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

One of the two Pagans who were found guilty of aggravated assault in February has been charged with violating a court order forbidding him to contact a witness.

Matthew Vasquez, 33, of Monessen and Joseph Olinsky III, 46, of McKeesport were convicted in February of aggravated assault, conspiracy and simple assault in the beating of a former Pagan in Charleroi in April 2019. They were acquitted of charges of attempted homicide.

Vasquez was ordered by Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge John DiSalle to have no contact — direct or indirect — with any of the witnesses, cooperating parties or the victim.

According to a new criminal complaint filed Monday, Vasquez allegedly reached out to his friend, Karen Wadsworth, by phone five days after his conviction and asked her to contact Jamie Granato, who testified against him during the trial. 

Granato, Vasquez’ former fiancée, is a cooperating witness who was charged with conspiracy in relation to the assault case. She was released from jail with an ankle monitor in exchange for her testimony.

Granato is accused of telling Vasquez the victim, former Pagan Troy Harris, was at the Slovak Club in Charleroi the night the assault took place. 

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