Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody has personally served Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. with a letter restricting access to the county courthouse.

Groody gave the letter to Halcovage at 2 p.m. Thursday while he was outside his office.

“He was shocked. He was very shocked,” Groody said.

Halcovage attempted to say something but Groody walked away. Dated Thursday, the letter is written by James C. Bohorad, solicitor for the Sheriff’s Office. In it, Halcovage is advised his identification card will be terminated and his access to the courthouse limited.

“In light of Judge. Eby’s order, questions and concerns have been raised about your ability to access the courthouse, which prompted the meeting May 12,” the letter says.

Eby issued a sexual violence protection order against Halcovage last week after what was scheduled to be a hearing in courtroom 4 of the courthouse. Such an order is to protect the victims of such violence from further abuse and/or intimidation by their abuser, regardless of if criminal charges have been filed against the perpetrator, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.

The letter continues by saying that “beginning Monday, May 17, your personal parking space will be moved to a spot directly outside the main entrance to the Courthouse that is presently reserved for police officers. You will then be required to enter the courthouse through the main entrance and pass through security in the same manner as the general public. Your access will continue to be limited Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and in addition, you must exit the courthouse only through the main entrance as well.”

Groody, District Attorney Michael O’Pake, and row officers Maria Casey, clerk of courts, Sharyn Yackenchick, controller, Bridget I. Miller, prothonotary, Ann Dudish, recorder of deeds, and Linda Marchalk, treasurer, and Theresa. Santai-Gaffney agreed to the restrictions and terminating Halcovage’s ID card, according to the letter.

A meeting was held Wednesday involving the aforementioned except for O’Pake and Santai- Gaffney, who were unable to attend.

The letter also mentions previous restrictions in place that were lifted after the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General declined to press charge against Halcovage, citing the statute of limitations as one of the reasons.

Bohorad writes that Groody will not take additional measures to ban Halcovage from the courthouse,” however, “he intends to consult with the President Judge and the remaining commissioners in the near future to consider this issue.”

Groody said Halcovage must abide by the restrictions or “he can’t come in the courthouse.”