The Butler County Sheriff’s Office deputy recently charged with indecent assault was fired Thursday after an administrative hearing, according to Sheriff Mike Slupe.

Mark H. Kowaleski, 53, of Natrona Heights, allegedly showed five people a sexually explicit photo, made sexual jokes and inappropriately touched them at a Butler home and later on the drive to a local bar, according to the interviews with the people contained in charging documents.

He was charged with nine misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and one misdemeanor count of defiant trespass related to incidents that occurred late Feb. 26 into Feb. 27.

Slupe said state police notified him Feb. 27 about an investigation regarding Kowaleski, prompting the Sheriff’s Office to place him on administrative leave Feb. 28 for the duration of the investigation.

Slupe said he was notified state police filed criminal charges against Kowaleski on Tuesday.

On Thursday, following an administrative hearing, Kowaleski was fired, effective immediately, Slupe said.

Kowaleski was hired Dec. 18, 2023, as a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office.

Minutes from a May 2024 meeting in Saxonburg indicate Kowaleski previously was employed by the borough as an officer. Council approved his resignation at that time.