Embattled Westmoreland County, PA, Sheriff Jonathan Held hired a recent college graduate with no previous law enforcement experience to serve as his second in command.

Held announced the appointment of Travis Day, 23, of Jeannette to serve as a captain in the sheriff's department, filling a void in the leadership team due to an indefinite medical leave and a resignation.

Held, in an email exchange with the Tribune-Review , said Day was one of six applicants for the job.

Day had sought a job as a deputy sheriff, according to his job application on file with the county's Human Resources Department.

Day graduated last year with a master's degree in criminal investigation from Waynesburg University and bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and political science from Clarion University in 2015, his application shows.

Held, 43, of Hempfield was charged this month by agents with the state Attorney General's office with public corruption-related offenses in connection with allegations that he forced staff in the sheriff's department to perform political duties while at work.

Held denied the allegations and claimed they were made by political adversaries.