Editor’s Note: The following is a submission by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
Here is a brief update on some of the events that occurred recently in the Chester County DA’s Office:
Conestoga High School Teacher Pleads Guilty
On May 1, 2026, former Conestoga High School teacher Michelle Mercogliano plead guilty to two counts of Institutional Sexual Assault and to Corruption of Minors before Chester County Court of Common Pleas Court Judge Allison Bell Royer. As part of the plea, Mercogliano admitted that she had sex with, and provided marijuana to, a high school student. She was sentenced to a minimum of 15 months in Chester County prison, will be supervised by a probation officer for at least 80 months after her release, and has been determined to be a Tier II Sex Offender. Prior to the plea, Mercogliano forfeited her teaching license, and she cannot work with children while on probation.
The terms of the plea were reached with input from the victims. Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Kaelin was the prosecuting attorney. The Tredyffrin Township Police Department conducted the investigation.
Chester County District Attorney Sues Pharmaceutical Industry for Conspiring to Fix Insulin Prices
On April 22, 2026, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe joined other DA’s Offices in the region and filed a civil lawsuit against major pharmacy benefit managers, drug manufacturers, and certain rebate aggregators for manipulating the Insulin market at the expense of consumers. The suit alleges that these entities engaged in coordinated conduct that artificially inflated the cost of Insulin and other diabetes medications over several decades.
The complaint asserts that the defendants participated in unfair and deceptive acts and practices that were in violation of the Commonwealth’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The District Attorney is seeking penalties and court-ordered relief to stop the unlawful pricing practices.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said, “This office will work to hold big corporations accountable and to protect consumers from predatory pricing schemes. Insulin should be affordable for everyone.”
The lawsuit aligns with similar actions filed nationwide, alleging Insulin manufacturers and PBMs worked together to increase prices – by as much as 1,000 percent over the past two decades – while securing favorable formulary placement through large payments. Insulin is relied upon daily by more than seven million Americans. The defendants named in the lawsuit are alleged to control roughly 96% of the insulin market.
Phoenixville Hosts Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Event to Benefit the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
On May 2, 2026, students from the Phoenixville Area High School organized and hosted the fourth annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event during the Phoenixville Mental Health Fun Day. Students, families, and community members gathered to spark conversations about mental health and sexual violence, while also participating in various activities.
District Attorney Christohper de Barrena-Sarobe joined a group of young men who put on high-heels and walked a mile to advocate for those affected by sexual violence and raise money for the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County. Read more about the event and how to donate here: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.
