Ex-Allegheny detective accused of coercing son to take testosterone, Adderall appears in court
By Ed DiOrio
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EXPORT, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — A former Allegheny County narcotics detective appeared in court this morning in Export.
State police claim Raymond Bonacci intimidated his son, Anthony, into taking testosterone and Adderall to enhance his performance on a high school football team.
Bonacci retired as an Allegheny County District Attorney narcotics detective in 2023.
In 2022, Anthony Bonacci had a background check run on him during his pursuit to become a state police officer. It was during his polygraph that he told troopers he had previously taken testosterone and Adderall.
Anthony told the court Tuesday morning that during his time playing football for Franklin Regional High School, his father, Raymond, intimidated him into taking the substances.
“I felt that if I didn’t do what he wanted, I’d be cut off from my family and that I’d never speak to my mother again,” Anthony said during proceedings.
Anthony said this happened throughout the 2019 high school season.
“I find it ironic that today, 6-7 years after the fact, he has an incredible memory,” said Michael DeRiso, Raymond Bonacci’s defense attorney.
When DeRiso cross-examined Anthony, the now-23-year-old cadet said he didn’t know for certain the injections were testosterone, and that the Adderall was taken by himself before games.
“What [Anthony] said is irrelevant,” Deriso said. “A trooper who went through the academy admittedly lied to his attorney, the district attorney’s office, and lied to a fellow trooper. It was about certain events he alleged took place so that he could get employed. I’m very confident at trial.”
PSP Trooper Jason Kinger, who ran Anthony’s background check, also testified during the preliminary hearing.
He told the court that after the Polygraph, he went to Raymond’s Murrysville residence for an unrecorded interview.
Kinger claimed that when he brought up Anthony’s accusations about Raymond’s involvement with the testosterone and Adderall, the father admitted guilt.
“His face turned red, and he slumped down,” Kinger said during the hearing. “[Raymond] said, ‘I did it.'”
“As much as cadets often try to shade the truth about their drug use being coerced, parents often try to protect their children,” Deriso said. “You have a cadet who already lied to multiple people and law enforcement, that’s who everyone chooses to believe.”
DeRiso is referring to Anthony claiming the case took place in Elizabeth Township.
Anthony told troopers and attorneys originally that he took the substances in Allegheny County. During testimony on Tuesday, Anthony claimed his father threatened him again if his son didn’t say the actions happened in Allegheny County.
“He made threats over the phone, saying, ‘If you don’t say that this happens in Allegheny County, I’d hate to see what happens to you.'”
“It’ll be a lengthy trial,” DeRiso said. “I feel good coming out. I think the testimony is concerning. It’s very concerning. There are a lot of things that come out in trial that are neither relevant nor admissible at a preliminary hearing.”
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