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Criminal Charges

7 Hospitalized, 30 Displaced After Arson Damages 6 Homes In Pennsylvania: Police 7 Hospitalized, 30 Displaced After Arson Damages 6 Homes In Pennsylvania: Police
7 Hospitalized, 30 Displaced After Arson Damages 6 Homes In Pennsylvania: Police A fire in Allentown that injured seven people, including four firefighters, and displaced 30 residents is now being investigated as arson, authorities announced Friday, Dec. 27. Santos Mota-Ramirez, 60, of Allentown, has been charged in connection with the fire, police announced Friday. The blaze began around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, in the 700 block of West Cedar Street and quickly spread to six adjacent row homes, according to the Allentown Fire Department. Dozens of firefighters battled the flames, which left five families displaced and caused severe damage to multiple homes, offi…
Shots Fired At Police Officer Lands Reading Man Homicide Attempt Charge: Berks DA Shots Fired At Police Officer Lands Reading Man Homicide Attempt Charge: Berks DA
Shots Fired At Police Officer Lands Reading Man Homicide Attempt Charge: Berks DA A 22-year-old man was arrested after allegedly firing multiple gunshots at police officers during a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle, the Berks County District Attorney's office announced on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The incident began when officers spotted a stolen Toyota Camry on Cotton Street around 8:01 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, as detailed in the DA's release. When they attempted a traffic stop, the driver, later identified as Davius Manuel Ortiz, fled on foot, leading police through alleys and backyards. During the chase, Ortiz reportedly fired at least seven shots at officers and nearby …
Man Shot In Face Held As Prisoner In West Philadelphia: Police Man Shot In Face Held As Prisoner In West Philadelphia: Police
Man Shot In Face Held As Prisoner In West Philadelphia: Police A 24-year-old man is fighting for his life after being shot in the face in West Philadelphia, only to find himself taken into custody, authorities say. The incident unfolded on the 5800 block of Arch Street at 7:31 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, according to Philadelphia police. Officers arrived to find the man suffering from a gunshot wound to his face. He was rushed by police to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition, authorities said. Despite his injuries, the victim is being held as a prisoner. Investigators have recovered a weapon, and the scene …
Ghost Gun Manufacturer, Trafficker Arrested In MontCo: Authorities (PHOTOS) Ghost Gun Manufacturer, Trafficker Arrested In MontCo: Authorities (PHOTOS)
Ghost Gun Manufacturer, Trafficker Arrested In MontCo: Authorities (Photos) A ghost gun manufacturer and trafficker based in Montgomery County was arrested, according to authorities. Tahmeir Wilson, 24, of Upper Pottsgrove, is facing charges after police found two fully completed ghost guns and multiple gun parts in his home, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said in a Wednesday, Nov. 20 news release. Investigators also found three drum magazines, multiple other magazines, numerous personally manufactured firearm lower pieces, and tools needed to privately manufacture firearms, the news release states. Wilson had established "a highly sophisticated,…
Maryland Man Arrest Made For Wild Philly Car Meetup: Police Maryland Man Arrest Made For Wild Philly Car Meetup: Police
Maryland Man Arrest Made For Wild Philly Car Meetup: Police Yet another arrest has been made relating to the wild Philadelphia car meetups that took place in September, according to police. Juawarn Williams, 21, of Rosedale, Maryland, was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 7 at his residence, the Philadelphia Police Department said. Williams was charged with: Causing or Risking Catastrophe. RIOT. REAP. Criminal Conspiracy. PIC. Fleeing Police Officer. Criminal Mischief. Disorderly Conduct-Hazard. Philadelphia police officers responded to multiple locations throughout the city for illegal car meetups with crowds ranging in size from 50 to more than 200 veh…
'AK-Style' Gun, Ammo, Drugs Seized During Eastern PA Traffic Stop: Police 'AK-Style' Gun, Ammo, Drugs Seized During Eastern PA Traffic Stop: Police
'Ak-style' Gun, Ammo, Drugs Seized During Eastern PA Traffic Stop: Police An "AK-style" rifle, ammunition, and drugs were seized during a traffic stop in Bucks County on Saturday, Oct. 26, according to police. Victor Miles, 33, of Flourtown, was observed driving a dark-colored Mazda south on Hulmeville Road near Byberry Road, the Bensalem Police Department said on Tuesday, Oct. 29.  The windows of the Mazda were heavily tinted, and as the officer got behind the vehicle, it sped up, committed a traffic violation, and almost crashed into another vehicle, according to police. After pulling the Mazda over, the officer told Miles to roll down the vehicle's windo…
PA Man Attempts To Kidnap Girl In Reading Alleyway: Report PA Man Attempts To Kidnap Girl In Reading Alleyway: Report
PA Man Attempts To Kidnap Girl In Reading Alleyway: Report A Berks County man attempted to kidnap a girl from an alleyway in Reading on Friday, Oct. 11, authorities said. Liam Wilkinson, 24, of Blandon, had posed as a teen boy on social media to lure the girl into an alley in the 600 block of Ritter Street, WFMZ 69 News reported on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Once she was in the alley, Wilkinson attempted to get her to climb into his vehicle. When she refused and tried to leave, Wilkinson chased her down and held a knife to her throat, WFMZ said. She managed to free herself and get away, and Wilkinson took her phone, which she dropped as she struggled…
PA Infant's Life Cut Short After Father Violently Shook Her, Community Rallies Around Family PA Infant's Life Cut Short After Father Violently Shook Her, Community Rallies Around Family
PA Infant's Life Cut Short After Father Violently Shook Her, Community Rallies Around Family A one-month-old Lackawanna County girl died after her father violently shook her. Now, the community is rallying around the family. Cecilia Rossetti suffered traumatic injuries after falling prey to Shaken Baby Syndrome, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to benefit the family. She died on Monday, Oct. 21. Although her life was short, "Cecilia's sweet, gentle spirit has touched the hearts of many, especially her big sister Celeste, who has cherished every moment of being a big sister," the campaign states.  Watching the two sisters together was their mother's greatest joy, a…
Former Penn State Players From Virginia, Philly Facing Rape, Other Sex Crimes: Court Docs Former Penn State Players From Virginia, Philly Facing Rape, Other Sex Crimes: Court Docs
Former Penn State Players From Virginia, Philly Facing Rape, Other Sex Crimes: Court Docs A pair of former Penn State players who were booted off the team over the summer are facing rape and other serious charges, according to court documents. Philadelphia native Jameial Lyons, and Kaveion Keys, of Richmond, Virginia, both 19, who were dismissed from the Nittany Lions and the university in August after being temporarily suspended from the squad. Lyons was charged with:  Rape; Aggravated assault without consent; Voluntary deviate sexual intercourse; Aggravated individual assault without consent; Indecent assault without consent of others; Invasion of privacy without consen…
Dad From Drug Dealing Duo To Get Rehab While Son Waits For Trial: Court Dad From Drug Dealing Duo To Get Rehab While Son Waits For Trial: Court
Dad From Drug Dealing Duo To Get Rehab While Son Waits For Trial: Court The dad who was part of a drug dealing father-son duo in Chalfont was approved by the court to enter drug and alcohol treatment, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Monday, Oct. 21. Mark Serafin, 54, and his son Jackson, 20, had been charged with multiple felonies including possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility, according to previous reporting by Daily Voice.  Now, it seems that the elder Serafin will be able to shed his criminal record after being approved by the Bucks County Court of Common Plea…
Manhunt For Rapist In Attack Next To Sleeping Child In Lancaster Ends In Arrest: DA Manhunt For Rapist In Attack Next To Sleeping Child In Lancaster Ends In Arrest: DA
Manhunt For Rapist In Attack Next To Sleeping Child In Lancaster Ends In Arrest: DA A rape at knifepoint that happened next to a sleeping child in Lancaster County has led to the arrest of a Chester County man, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adam's office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Efrain Mateo, 49, of the 3500 block of Blue Rock Road in Manor Township, was arrested in Chester County and accused of the assault on Friday, Oct. 11, the DA explained.  The victim had an active PFA against Mateo when he entered her home in the early morning hours of Thursday, Oct. 3, authorities said. It was not immediately clear exactly where in Chester County he was …
Aldan Man Arrested With Drugs, Guns In Months-Long Narc Probe: Police Aldan Man Arrested With Drugs, Guns In Months-Long Narc Probe: Police
Aldan Man Arrested With Drugs, Guns In Months-Long Narc Probe: Police A Delaware County man was arrested after authorities found drugs, guns, and money in his home following a four-month-long narcotics investigation, police said. Edward Plumley, 48, of Aldan, was previously identified by the Delaware County Narcotics Task Force as a drug trafficker, according to the Marple Township Police Department. Plumley, who had been distributing drugs in and around Marple Township, had his residence searched under warrant by the narcotics task force on Thursday, Oct. 10, police said. In Plumley's residence, officers with the task force found and seized: 1,600 grams o…
PA Woman Shot By Husband While Reading Bible: Affidavit PA Woman Shot By Husband While Reading Bible: Affidavit
PA Woman Shot By Husband While Reading Bible: Affidavit An 84-year-old Bethel woman was shot in the head as she was reading the Bible, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Tuesday, Oct. 8. The woman was shot by her husband, Howard "Philip" Boltz, as she was sitting at their dinner at their dining room table at 9:10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, as detailed in the affidavit of probable cause.  Boltz, 82, told his wife, "I can't stand it no more. You are cutting me down," as he placed a .22 caliber rifle's barrel against her head, according to the document. The rifle was still covered with a cloth Boltz used to protect it while i…
Woman Impersonates FBI In Attempt To Free Inmate At SCI: PA State Police Woman Impersonates FBI In Attempt To Free Inmate At SCI: PA State Police
Woman Impersonates FBI In Attempt To Free Inmate At SCI: PA State Police A woman impersonated a Federal Bureau of Investigations agent at a Central Pennsylvania prison in an attempt to free an inmate, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Rebecca Frye, 30, of Mechanicsburg, was claimed to be taking custody of an inmate at State Correction Institution - Camp Hile as an agent of the FBI— but she has no credentials and authorities were unable to verify her identity, PA State Police Carlisle Trooper Cutaiar explained. Troopers were called to the prison "for a report of a female identifying as an FBI agent without credentials" around 5:21 a.m. on …
'My Son Killed My Roommate' PA Teen Sentenced For Homicide: DA 'My Son Killed My Roommate' PA Teen Sentenced For Homicide: DA
'My Son Killed My Roommate' PA Teen Sentenced For Homicide: DA A 19-year-old has been sentenced for killing his dad's roommate, the Lancaster County District Attorney's office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 1.  Brian Deante Gray "just snapped" and beat his dad's roommate 68-year-old Michael Xavier Pfender to death on Monday, Dec. 12, 2023, his father told police according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice.  Gray was sentenced to serve 15 to 40 years in state prison after pleading guilty to the third-degree murder Before Judge Jeffrey Conrad on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Gray and Pfender had been drinking and hanging…
Fetus Killed, Infant Hospitalized, 6 Injured In 'Intentional' Crash In Pennsylvania: Affidavit Fetus Killed, Infant Hospitalized, 6 Injured In 'Intentional' Crash In Pennsylvania: Affidavit
Fetus Killed, Infant Hospitalized, 6 Injured In 'Intentional' Crash In Pennsylvania: Affidavit  "I am going to kill everyone," that's what a 22-year-old man yelled as he plowed his vehicle into another car, injuring 7 people — including an infant — and killing a fetus, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Wednesday, Sept. 11.  Jaheim Lamar Alford of Latta, South Carolina, had been arguing with his girlfriend after accusing her of cheating on him before he picked up three passengers, who are now considered witnesses in this fatal crash, as explained in the affidavit of probable cause.  He appeared to be "acting weird", was angry, a…
Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA
Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA A 32-year-old man from Berks County has been arrested in connection with the rape of two girls at a home in Reading, one when she was 11 years old, authorities said on Friday, Sept. 6. Janson G. Paz-Ochoa of Shillington was charged with rape, rape of a child, and multiple other offenses, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office. He was arrested on Aug. 27 and is due to reappear in court on Sept. 13, court records show. Berks County District Attorney’s detectives received a childline referral on April 12 from the state Department of Human Services which reported that a&n…
Man With Drug Warrant Flees Police In Lycoming County Man With Drug Warrant Flees Police In Lycoming County
Man With Drug Warrant Flees Police In Lycoming County A 40-year-old man was arrested for fleeing police in Lycoming County, authorities said. Michael Charles Devan had been stopped on Aug. 20 by Williamsport police near West Fourth and Campbell streets. During a traffic stop, Devan learned that he had an active felony drug warrant, police said. Devan accelerated away and fled from police for over a mile through residential areas of the city, exceeding speeds of 60 mph, police said. Devan ultimately was apprehended in the 500 block of Lycoming Street without further incident.  In addition to the original felony drug warrant, Devan was a…
Man Rams Police Car In Chester County Man Rams Police Car In Chester County
Man Rams Police Car In Chester County A 46-year-old Chester County man is accused of ramming his car into a patrol car and then charging at the officers, authorities said. At approximately 2:50 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, West Whiteland Township Police Officers were investigating a violation of a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order in the 300 block of South Balderston Drive.  Officers observed a red Honda Accord being operated by a white male in the driveway of a residence. Officers knew this to be the suspect in the PFA violation and parked and exited their patrol vehicles to investigate.  The red Honda being operated b…
Bensalem Man Arrested For Deadly Philadelphia Crash: Police Bensalem Man Arrested For Deadly Philadelphia Crash: Police
Bensalem Man Arrested For Deadly Philadelphia Crash: Police A 41-year-old Bensalem man is accused of fatally hitting a pedestrian in Philadelphia, authorities say.  Christopher Sorensen was arrested in Kensington on Wednesday, July 31, Philadelphia police said in a release.  Sorensen was driving east on Allegheny Avenue when he struck Christopher Cabrera near Frankford Avenue on July 17, according to investigators. Cabrera, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Sorensen is charged with homicide by vehicle and related counts, police said. Court records for his case were not immediately available on the state website on Wednesday even…
Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators
Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators A Scranton man is charged with setting a fire at the Lackawanna County government building last week, according to city police.  Paul Howard Strope Jr., 35, is also charged with risking catastrophe and reckless endangerment, authorities said.  The 123 Wyoming Avenue fire started around 6:30 on Tuesday, June 26, Scranton police said. A meeting was in progress in a conference room when attendees smelled smoke wafting in through the building's HVAC system, according to authorities.  The building was evacuated and firefighters "conducted suppression and ventilation activities," …
3-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Adult In Lehigh Valley: Police 3-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Adult In Lehigh Valley: Police
3-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Adult In Lehigh Valley: Police A 33-year-old woman was hospitalized after being shot in the back by a toddler on Monday, July 1,  according to Wilson Borough police.  The shot woman was taken to a hospital for emergency surgery and is expected to survive, investigators say.  The shooting happened on the 2200 block of Forest Street, authorities said. The gun owner, 41-year-old Brian Siegfried, cocked the gun and left it on a front porch table before walking across the street, according to police.  He told investigators he was "tired of holding the gun and put it down," authorities said.  Four ch…
Dad Of 4 Charged With Infant Son's Death: PA State Police Gettysburg Dad Of 4 Charged With Infant Son's Death: PA State Police Gettysburg
Dad Of 4 Charged With Infant Son's Death: PA State Police Gettysburg A 36-year-old dad of four has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of his infant son, the Pennsylvania State Police announced on Saturday, June 30. Nicholas "Nick" Anthony Despines, of New Oxford, was charged with a felony for Endangering the Welfare of Children when a Parent, Guardian, or Other Commits the Offense, as detailed in court documents.  The charge is in connection with the death of his 5-month-old son on South Street in McSherrystown Borough which happened on Feb. 22, 2024, according to PSP Gettysburg Trooper Beck. Despines was arrested on June 24 an…
Bensalem Man Busted With Prepubescent Child Porn, Police Say Bensalem Man Busted With Prepubescent Child Porn, Police Say
Bensalem Man Busted With Prepubescent Child Porn, Police Say A Bensalem man is in police custody on child pornography charges, township police say.  Michael Dunbar, 55, is also charged with criminal use of a communications facility, according to authorities.  Police said they received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a Google account linked to Dunbar in April. The account had saved and uploaded "numerous videos depicting child pornography, including prepubescent boys and girls engaging in sexual acts with each other," authorities said.  A search warrant was executed at Dunbar's State Road h…
Teen Sentenced For 61 Charges Years After Lancaster Park City Center Mall Shooting Teen Sentenced For 61 Charges Years After Lancaster Park City Center Mall Shooting
Teen Sentenced For 61 Charges Years After Lancaster Park City Center Mall Shooting The 16-year-old boy who was charged with 61 offenses for the shooting at Park City Center, is now 19 years old and has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to serve up to 32 years in prison, the Lancaster District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, May 29. Jeremiahs Josiah-Alberto Sanchez, of Lancaster, fired a gun stolen out of Lebanon County and endangered the lives of 52 innocent bystanders during the incident, the District Attorney's office explained. Sergio Vargas, 30, Elijah Deliz,18, and three other men were involved in the fight that led up to the shooting, but none were charge…