MOUNT POCONO, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – A police officer and borough councilman is now on the other side of the law. Late last week, investigators charged him with Failing to Report Child Abuse and Obstructing Justice. Eyewitness News reporter Brianna Strunk exclusively obtained paperwork about the accusations.
Investigators say Keith Transue of Mount Pocono broke the law while trying to protect his wife. The Bushkill Township Police Officer and Mount Pocono Borough Councilman allegedly held a dark secret the past six years: that his wife had sex with a then 14-year-old boy inside the family home on Knox Street.
“Yeah, that’s a shock,” says next door neighbor Donald Muller.
As a police officer and School Resource Officer with Colonial Academy, Transue is required to report suspected child abuse. But according to court papers, he tried covering it up instead.
Keith allegedly took the boy’s cell phone, which contained text message evidence, and convinced his parents not to contact police.
“I spoke with him earlier and he understands the seriousness of the allegations and he’s going to challenge these,” says Mount Pocono Mayor Fred Courtright.
Last year, Keith’s wife, Robin, was charged with sexually assaulting the minor.
“Time will tell,” Muller adds.
Another bombshell followed weeks later, when she was also charged with allegedly trying to hire a hit man to kill Keith. Investigators say Robin wanted to get rid of him because he threatened to expose her secret.
“My thoughts are really with the family, honestly. With the kids who have to face public scrutiny of all this,,” Mayor Courtright adds.
Transue is still on Mount Pocono’s Borough Council. According to Bushkill Township’s Police Chief in Northampton County, he has been on paid administrative leave since January.
Keith is due back in court next month. Robin’s charged were all waived to the Monroe County Courthouse.
