Arrest warrant issued for Pa. State Rep. Kevin Boyle, police say

An arrest warrant was issued for Pennsylvania State Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-Philadelphia) on Tuesday for allegedly violating a protection from abuse order, Philadelphia police said.

In September 2021, Boyle was arrested and charged with harassment and violation of a protection from abuse order his wife had filed at the time. He was released a day later on his own recognizance.

“It is important to note that Kevin Boyle is not accused of any act of violence. By agreement with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Kevin is scheduled for a mental health evaluation," Boyle's attorney, R. Emmett Madden, told NBC10 in a written statement in reference to the arrest back in 2021. "He intends to follow through with all court, mental health and medical recommendations, including treatment. We are confident that with treatment, Kevin can return to full health, resolve these charges, and continue serving his constituents.”

Philadelphia police did not confirm whether the current charges against Boyle are in connection to his September 2021 arrest.

"We can confirm an arrest warrant has been issued for violating a PFA. However, the specifics of the PFA we cannot get into," a Philadelphia Police spokesperson wrote on Tuesday, April 16.

As of April 17, Boyle was still not in custody, according to Philadelphia police.

Boyle faced more issues in February 2024 after he was banned from Gaul & Malt House in Rockledge, Pennsylvania, where he was caught on video berating employees, according to police. Boyle also allegedly threatened female staff members inside the bar before police arrived, investigators said.

In a statement on April 17, Rockledge Police Chief John Gallagher told NBC10 the investigation into that incident continues. However, none of the customers, staff members, managers or owners of the bar wanted to pursue charges against Boyle, according to Chief Gallagher. Chief Gallagher also said Boyle complied with responding police officers by leaving the bar on foot.

"The only charge which PA Democrat State Representative Boyle could possibly face at the conclusion of our investigation would be Public Drunkenness, but that would result only in the issuance of a non-traffic summary citation," Chief Gallagher wrote. "Physical arrest by police wouldn't be warranted under such circumstances. He would simply have to plead Guilty and pay the fine and costs associated with the citation or plead Not Guilty and appear in local District Justice Court."

Chief Gallagher also said he doesn't believe Boyle has tried to return to the bar since the incident. Finally, Chief Gallagher confirmed the incident at the bar is not connected in any way to the current arrest warrant for Boyle.

Boyle, a Democrat, was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and represents the 172nd District which covers parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County. Following his arrest in 2021, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Boyle was removed from his position as House Finance Committee chairman and had his access to the Capitol limited for unknown reasons. 

“I love Kevin, but I have serious concerns about his mental health and it breaks my heart to see him this way. I hope he gets the help he needs," Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery County) said in response to the current arrest warrant.

Rep. Brendan Boyle releases statement on his brother

Boyle is the younger brother of Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd District) who released a statement on April 17.

"Kevin’s mental illness has been a nightmare for our family. Like any family who has a beloved member with a serious health issue, we are doing the best we can to help him get better," Brendan Boyle wrote.

"In 2021, Kevin started exhibiting symptoms of a very serious mental health condition. With medical treatment and proper medication, Kevin made a full recovery. For the following two years he was completely healthy and exhibited no symptoms whatsoever. He was thriving at work, won re-election overwhelmingly, and rose to become the chairman of an important state legislative committee. We genuinely believed his mental health issue was in the past. 

"Tragically, several months ago his symptoms returned. In recent weeks his mental health has even further deteriorated. It’s been painful to watch an intelligent, accomplished person with a big heart decline in such a precipitous way. Kevin’s family, close friends, and several colleagues have done everything possible to get him to enter into treatment, but we have been frustrated by a system that gives little power to the loved ones of an adult with a serious mental health condition. 

"Our sole focus now is for Kevin to get the medical treatment he needs and to make a full recovery like he did previously. Our hearts are with Kevin, as well as all families who are suffering because a loved one is afflicted with a mental health illness."