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Lehigh County District Attorney's Office

NJ Man Could Get Up to 146 Years In Prison For Sexually Assaulting PA Girl: DA NJ Man Could Get Up to 146 Years In Prison For Sexually Assaulting PA Girl: DA
NJ Man Could Get Up to 146 Years In Prison For Sexually Assaulting PA Girl: DA A New Jersey man is facing up to 146 years in jail after being convicted for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old Lehigh County girl, according to a Friday, Nov. 15 news release. Spartak A. Fedorovich, 38, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, was found guilty of all charges relating to the sexual assault, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.  Charges against Fedorovich stem from an investigation by Upper Saucon Township police who were dispatched to a home for a report of suspicious activity on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 , according to the district attorney's news release. Off…
Lehigh County Police Officer Charged For Swiping $5K In Drug Money: DA Lehigh County Police Officer Charged For Swiping $5K In Drug Money: DA
Lehigh County Police Officer Charged For Swiping $5K In Drug Money: DA An Allentown Police vice officer is facing charges for stealing more than $5,000 in cash following a drug bust, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office said in a Friday, Nov. 15 news release. Jason Michael Krasley, 47, of Upper Milford Township, was charged after an investigation found that he stole $5,500 in cash while in the 1300 block of Chew Street in May 2019, following a drug bust, according to the district attorney's office. Krasley pocketed the money from a stash of $16,000 found in the basement ceiling of the Washington Barbershop, located at 1129 Hamilton Street, which was us…
Repeat Flasher Exposed Himself To Yet Another Child: Lehigh County DA Repeat Flasher Exposed Himself To Yet Another Child: Lehigh County DA
Repeat Flasher Exposed Himself To Yet Another Child: Lehigh County DA A 63-year-old man has been sentenced after exposing himself to a young girl on a public street — again, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday, Nov. 8. Blaine Alan Arner, of Tamaqua, was ordered to serve seven-and-a-half to 15 years in prison after a hearing held Thursday, Nov. 7, according to District Attorney's Office. Arner must also serve 15 years of probation and register for life as a sexually violent predator, the district attorney's office said. The incident happened when Arner exposed himself to a 9-year-old girl who was walking her dogs with three other …
PA Man Sentenced To Up To 50 Years In Jail For Murder: DA PA Man Sentenced To Up To 50 Years In Jail For Murder: DA
PA Man Sentenced To Up To 50 Years In Jail For Murder: DA A Bethlehem man who pleaded guilty to Third-Degree Murder in a 2023 homicide and robbery was sentenced on Monday, Oct. 21, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office said. Abner Juarbe, 19, was sentenced to serve 22 to 50 years in state prison, according to the district attorney's office. Juarbe shot and killed 39-year-old Darnell Thompson on Thursday, March 23, 2023 in the 500 block of North Fourth Street in Allentown, the district attorney's office said. Juarbe shot Thompson during a fight between two teenage girls that occurred around 6:30 p.m. Thompson, of 521 North Fo…
Convicted PA Thief Pleads Guilty to Allentown Murder, Among 3 Other Cases: DA Convicted PA Thief Pleads Guilty to Allentown Murder, Among 3 Other Cases: DA
Convicted PA Thief Pleads Guilty to Allentown Murder, Among 3 Other Cases: DA A 22-year-old Bethlehem man has admitted to murder, and numerous other crimes the Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced on Monday, Oct. 14.  Legious Robert Minder Jr., pleaded guilty to Murder in the Third Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Firearm Prohibited for the Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, slaying of Najeer Lane, 22, of Allentown, according to the DA. Minder Jr. had been charged along with two other men for Lane's death as well as the attempted murder of Bless Jones during Allentown so…
Passenger From Allentown Dies In Hospital After Bethlehem Crash: Police Passenger From Allentown Dies In Hospital After Bethlehem Crash: Police
Passenger From Allentown Dies In Hospital After Bethlehem Crash: Police The passenger for a vehicle involved in a crash died in the hospital, the Bethlehem Police Department announced on Monday, Oct. 14. Ezequiel Hernandez-Cartagena, 20, of Allentown, has been identified as the passenger killed in the single-vehicle crash, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. Officers responded to the report of a single-vehicle crash with injuries in the 700 block of Central Boulevard at 6:53 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, police said. When they arrived, officers found a vehicle severely damaged from striking a utility pole, but no one could be found in or around it,…
Motorcyclist, 34, Killed In Lehigh County Crash Remembered Motorcyclist, 34, Killed In Lehigh County Crash Remembered
Motorcyclist, 34, Killed In Lehigh County Crash Remembered Condolences are pouring in for the 34-year-old motorcyclist killed in a Lehigh County crash Friday, Oct. 4. Jorge Pickett, of Bethlehem, is survived by two children, whose photos he shared often on social media. Many of the comments are from people who struck up unlikely friendships with Pickett, including one who said they'd only ever met online. Still, Pickett sent his online friend a birthday gift. Another was a co-worker who said their friendly conversations eventually blossomed into a friendship. Jorge, The older brother I always wanted I still can’t believe this is real why you …
Convicted Felon Arrested For Fatal Bathroom Shooting: Lehigh County DA Convicted Felon Arrested For Fatal Bathroom Shooting: Lehigh County DA
Convicted Felon Arrested For Fatal Bathroom Shooting: Lehigh County DA A 56-year-old man who was shot dead on Friday, Oct. 4 has been identified and his suspected shooter is in custody, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced.  Christopher E. Potter was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:36 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, according to the coroner's release. Elvis Miguel Perez, 34, of Bethlehem, has been charged with the following felonies in connection with this fatal shooting: Criminal Homicide, Person Not to Possess, Use, Manufacture, Control, Sell or Transfer Firearms, and Possession of a Firearm with Altered Manufacture’…
Stolen NY, NJ Cars Found In Allentown Chop Shop: Lehigh County DA Stolen NY, NJ Cars Found In Allentown Chop Shop: Lehigh County DA
Stolen NY, NJ Cars Found In Allentown Chop Shop: Lehigh County DA Ten vehicles stolen from locations around New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania were recovered from a chop shop in Allentown — leading to the arrest of the shop's owner on Friday, Sept. 27, according to authorities. Allentown Auto Works & Recycling, owned by Cesar Garcia-Martinez, 34, of Easton, was identified as a chop shop that was dismantling stolen vehicles during an investigation by the Lehigh County Auto Theft Task Force Unit, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office explained in a release on Monday, Sept. 30. The investigation began when the task force was contacted by Allen…
Murder Charge For PA Man After 'Intentional' Hit-Run: DA Murder Charge For PA Man After 'Intentional' Hit-Run: DA
Murder Charge For PA Man After 'Intentional' Hit-Run: DA Whitehall man Rajgion Davis was charged Thursday, Sept. 26 with Criminal Homicide for the Friday, Aug. 9 murder of Stephen Fistner, a pedestrian who Davis intentionally struck with his car, according to authorities. Along with the Criminal Homicide charge, 55-year-old Davis is also charged with two counts of Attempted Murder and two counts each of Aggravated Assault relating to other pedestrians endangered in the incident, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office. All charges are first-degree felonies. The charges were filed after police investigated the hit-and-run inciden…
MURDER-SUICIDE: Authorities ID Couple Shot Dead In Allentown MURDER-SUICIDE: Authorities ID Couple Shot Dead In Allentown
Murder-suicide: Authorities ID Couple Shot Dead In Allentown Authorities have identified the couple shot dead in a murder-suicide in Allentown, the Lehigh County Coroner announced on Friday, Sept. 6. Livi E. Beltran Fernandez, 44, of Allentown, was found dead of a shooting at about 1:10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, in a home on the 2000 block of East Cedar St., according to the Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio. Her cause of death was ruled a homicide. Jesus J. Cruz Ortiz, a 53-year-old man from Easton, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot at the same address, Buglio said. His cause of death was ruled a suicide.  Autopsies were completed&…
MURDER-SUICIDE: Couple Shot Dead In Allentown, Lehigh County Coroner Says MURDER-SUICIDE: Couple Shot Dead In Allentown, Lehigh County Coroner Says
Murder-suicide: Couple Shot Dead In Allentown, Lehigh County Coroner Says A murder-suicide is under investigation in Allentown, the Lehigh County Coroner announced on Thursday, Sept. 5. A 44-year-old woman from Allentown was found dead of a shooting at about 1:10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, in a home on the 2000 block of East Cedar St., according to the Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio. Her manner of death was ruled a homicide. A 53-year-old man from Easton was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot at the same address, Buglio said. His manner of death was ruled a suicide.  "The investigation remains active and on-going, however it appears John Doe s…
Late-Night Labor Day Shooting Ruled Homicide, Lehigh Coroner Says (UPDATE) Late-Night Labor Day Shooting Ruled Homicide, Lehigh Coroner Says (UPDATE)
Late-Night Labor Day Shooting Ruled Homicide, Lehigh Coroner Says (Update) Authorities have ruled that the 39-year-old man shot dead in Allentown over the Labor Day weekend was a homicide. Terrence Brunson, of Allentown, Brunson was pronounced dead on Monday, Sept. 2, at about 11:20 p.m., according to the Lehigh County Coroner. He died of a gunshot wound to the chest, the coroner said on Wednesday, Sept. 4. He was pronounced dead in the emergency department at St. Luke's Hospital, Sacred Heart Campus.  The shooting occurred on Monday, Sept. 2, at approximately 10:40 p.m. in the 500 Block of W. Liberty St. in Allentown, the coroner said. …
HOMICIDE: Whitehall Man 'Intentionally' Struck By Car, Lehigh Coroner Says HOMICIDE: Whitehall Man 'Intentionally' Struck By Car, Lehigh Coroner Says
Homicide: Whitehall Man 'Intentionally' Struck By Car, Lehigh Coroner Says A 53-year-old man's death has been ruled a homicide the Lehigh County Coroner announced on Saturday, Aug. 10.  Stephen S. Fistner, of Whitehall Township, "was a pedestrian that was intentionally struck by a motor vehicle," Coroner Daniel Buglio stated.  The fatal strike happened in 1300 block of North 14th Street at 6:05 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024, as detailed in the coroner's release.  He was pronounced dead at t Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest at 7:02 p.m. on Friday, August 9. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the c…
Boy, 17, Ejected, Killed In Lehigh County Rollover Crash: Coroner Boy, 17, Ejected, Killed In Lehigh County Rollover Crash: Coroner
Boy, 17, Ejected, Killed In Lehigh County Rollover Crash: Coroner A 17-year-old boy was killed in a late-night crash on Monday, Aug. 5 in Lehigh County, the coroner said. Javian Alexander Rivera, of Lower Macungie, was the passenger in the car the rolled over on the 2000 block of Orchard Drive around 11:55 p.m., Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said. Javian was ejected and killed, Buglio said. An autopsy will be completed at the LCCO&FC on Thursday, Aug. 8, to determine the cause of death. In addition to the coroner's office, the Whitehall Township Police Department, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office and the Lehigh County Crash Reconst…
Man Found Dead Of Gunshot Wound In Lehigh County Man Found Dead Of Gunshot Wound In Lehigh County
Man Found Dead Of Gunshot Wound In Lehigh County A 65-year-old man from Salisbury Township was found dead of a gunshot wound, authorities said. Richard A. Costello was pronounced dead on Friday, Aug. 2, at 9:37 a.m. at his home, they said. An autopsy was completed on Monday, Aug. 5 at the Lehigh County Coroner's Office and Forensics Center.  The cause of death is a gunshot wound to the abdomen, the coroner said. The manner of death is pending an investigation, the coroner said. Costello was found at his home during a welfare check by police, who were contacted by a concerned family member. In addition to the co…
HS Football Player Riding In Pickup Flatbed Falls To Death: PA State Police HS Football Player Riding In Pickup Flatbed Falls To Death: PA State Police
HS Football Player Riding In Pickup Flatbed Falls To Death: PA State Police A 16-year-old died from injuries weeks after a serious fall from the flatbed of a pickup truck, the Pennsylvania State Police announced on Friday, July 19. The fall happened when Tucker Wessner of Heidelberg Township, Germansville, was in the flatbed or tailgate with a 17-year-old boy with an 18-year-old man in the passenger seat and a 17-year-old boy was driving the 2011 Toyota Tundra in Lynn Township on June 24, PSP Trooper Nathan Branosky detailed in the release.  As the Tundra turned off of Leaser Road onto Follweiler Court, Tucker "fell out of the truck and struck the ground," Branosky…
Father's Day Shooter At Catasaqua Playground Convicted: Lehigh DA Father's Day Shooter At Catasaqua Playground Convicted: Lehigh DA
Father's Day Shooter At Catasaqua Playground Convicted: Lehigh DA A Bethlehem man was convicted by jury for a 2022 shooting in Catasauqua, said prosecutors on Thursday, July 11.  Kian Deater, 21, could face up to 51 years in prison at his Sept. 5 sentencing, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.  Shots rang out in Catasauqua Park, 501 American Street, around 7 p.m. on June 22, 2022, authorities said. Adults, children, and a group playing basketball were in the park when Deater shot at an occupied car multiple times, according to the DA's Office.  Security footage from the scene showed Deater firing a handgun while park…
Charges Filed In Deadly Shooting At 1-Year-Old's Birthday Party In Allentown: DA Charges Filed In Deadly Shooting At 1-Year-Old's Birthday Party In Allentown: DA
Charges Filed In Deadly Shooting At 1-Year-Old's Birthday Party In Allentown: DA An Allentown man faces homicide charges for the February killing of Miguel Dalmasi, prosecutors announced Tuesday, July 9.  Roberto Gonzalez, 25, is also charged with reckless endangerment and weapons offenses, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.  Dalmasi, of Alburtis, was shot and killed during a birthday party for a 1-year-old relative on Feb. 17, authorities have said. The party was being held at the East Side Fire Social Hall, 405 E. Walnut St., when "several unknown men" wearing ski masks and hoodies showed up outside, according to investigators.  …
Driver Sentenced For DUI Crash That Killed Allentown Father, Husband: Lehigh DA Driver Sentenced For DUI Crash That Killed Allentown Father, Husband: Lehigh DA
Driver Sentenced For DUI Crash That Killed Allentown Father, Husband: Lehigh DA The DUI driver in a fatal 2021 crash will spend up to two decades in prison, said the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office on Friday, July 5.  John Frederick Fifield, 21, was sentenced to four to 20 years after pleading guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and related offenses, according to prosecutors.  Forty-seven-year-old Benjamin Bleiler was killed when Fifield struck his southbound SUV at the corner of Hickory Lane and Snowdrift Road in Upper Macungie, authorities said.  Bleiler's wife also suffered serious injuries including fracture…
Allentown Autozone Shooter Sentenced For Attempted Murder: DA Allentown Autozone Shooter Sentenced For Attempted Murder: DA
Allentown Autozone Shooter Sentenced For Attempted Murder: DA A man who shot at multiple people in an Allentown parking lot last year will spend up to 15 years in prison, prosecutors say.  Joshua Ortiz, 28, pleaded guilty to attempted murder in April, said the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.  Authorities have said Ortiz and 22-year-old Edgar Gonzalez got into an argument with another group last June 4. Ortiz and Gonzalez were in a sedan that followed the other group to the South Fifth Street Autozone parking lot, according to officials.  They blocked the victims from driving away before Ortiz got out of his sedan and ope…
Suspects Named In 11-Year-Old's Allentown Shooting: DA Suspects Named In 11-Year-Old's Allentown Shooting: DA
Suspects Named In 11-Year-Old's Allentown Shooting: DA Authorities are looking for two men after an 11-year-old boy was shot in the head in Allentown last Thursday, June 13.  The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office says Renee Brown Jr., 20, and Jahliel Branford, 18, are both wanted on arrest warrants.  According to investigators, Brown and Branford opened fire at a group of people near North Nagle and West Allen streets. The 11-year-old victim, identified by prosecutors as K.B., remains hospitalized and is "receiving care and comfort from doctors, family, friends, and loved ones," said the DA's Office.  "We are confident th…
Pair Charged In Deadly Shooting In Allentown's Fountain Park: Lehigh DA Pair Charged In Deadly Shooting In Allentown's Fountain Park: Lehigh DA
Pair Charged In Deadly Shooting In Allentown's Fountain Park: Lehigh DA Two men are in police custody in connection with the murder of Angel Martinez-Velez, prosecutors say.  Grelvis Estevez Cabrera and Carlos Nathaniel Landesta-Agramonte are charged with conspiracy to commit criminal homicide and tampering with evidence, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.  Officials have said Martinez-Velez, 25, was shot to death at the basketball court in Fountain Park last Saturday, June 1.  In a release on Thursday, June 6, the DA's Office said two vehicles were seen fleeing the park: a dark-colored Honda and a white car. Using …
Arrest Made In Deadly 2022 Allentown Shooting Arrest Made In Deadly 2022 Allentown Shooting
Arrest Made In Deadly 2022 Allentown Shooting A suspect is in custody for an Allentown murder nearly two years ago, says the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.  Steven Michael Rosa is charged with criminal homicide for the shooting death of Tywon Abner, according to prosecutors.  Authorities said Abner, 33, was shot in the chest on West Allen Street on July 28, 2022. He succumbed to his wound and his death was ruled a homicide by the county Coroner's Office.  Rosa, 30, is also charged with persons not to possess a firearm due to a previous conviction for robbery, the DA's Office said.  He is being held with…
Horrifying Details Come To Light In Death Of Slatington Man Dismembered By Roommate: Officials Horrifying Details Come To Light In Death Of Slatington Man Dismembered By Roommate: Officials
Horrifying Details Come To Light In Death Of Slatington Man Dismembered By Roommate: Officials A 33-year-old Pennsylvania man has been arrested and charged in the killing of his 37-year-old roommate, who had been slain then dismembered just days before his 38th birthday, authorities said. Joshua Douglas Moser has been charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence in the murder of David Hittinger, prosecutors said at a Friday, May 17 press conference.  UPDATE: 33-year-old Joshua Moser is charged with homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. He’s accused... Posted by Priscilla Liguori on Friday, May 17, 2024 Investigators b…
Homicide Investigation Underway In Slatington: Officials Homicide Investigation Underway In Slatington: Officials
Homicide Investigation Underway In Slatington: Officials Authorities are investigating the death of a 37-year-old Slatington man.  Update: Suspect In Custody For Murder, Dismemberment In Slatington: Lehigh DA David Hittinger was pronounced dead late on Wednesday, May 15, the Lehigh County Coroner's Office said in a release. His manner of death was ruled homicide and an autopsy is scheduled for Friday, May 17.  "At this time, I am not releasing the location of death," said Coroner Daniel A. Buglio.  "This is an active and ongoing multi-agency investigation including the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lehigh County H…
Arrest Made In Pennsylvania Widow's 1989 Murder: Prosecutors Arrest Made In Pennsylvania Widow's 1989 Murder: Prosecutors
Arrest Made In Pennsylvania Widow's 1989 Murder: Prosecutors More than 35 years after she was found murdered in her Coplay home, Lehigh County authorities say they have arrested Rose Josephine Hnath's killer.  Michael Breisch was arrested in Ohio this week, the District Attorney's Office said Thursday, May 16.  Hnath, 78, was found dead from stab wounds and blunt force trauma at her 2690 2nd Street home on Jan. 21, 1989. Family members discovered the scene after she failed to show up for her usual church service that morning, prosecutors said.  The home had been ransacked, and defensive wounds suggested she tried to fight off her…
Driver Pleads Guilty To Homicide By Vehicle In Deadly Lehigh County Crash: DA Driver Pleads Guilty To Homicide By Vehicle In Deadly Lehigh County Crash: DA
Driver Pleads Guilty To Homicide By Vehicle In Deadly Lehigh County Crash: DA A Breinigsville man was convicted for the 2021 crash that killed Benjamin Bleiler in Upper Macungie, said the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.  John Frederick Fifield, 21, pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and related offenses, the DA's Office said.  Authorities say Fifield was going 80 mph in a 55 mph zone at the time of the crash on Dec. 19, 2021.  His westbound Jeep Grand Cherokee struck Blieler's southbound SUV at the corner of Hickory Lane and Snowdrift Road, according to investigators.  Bleiler, 47, of Alle…
Coroner Identifies Husband And Wife Killed In Allentown Crash Coroner Identifies Husband And Wife Killed In Allentown Crash
Coroner Identifies Husband And Wife Killed In Allentown Crash Authorities are investigating after a married couple were fatally struck by a car in Allentown on Friday night, May 3, according to officials.  Police said the victims were hit near North Main Street and West Chew Street around 8:30 p.m. They were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest and succumbed to their injuries, authorities said.  The Lehigh County Coroner's Office said they were 83-year-old Frank R. Wyant and 80-year-old Marcella A. Wyant of Allentown. Both died from multiple blunt force trauma and their manners of death were accidental, officials said.  "Mr. and…
Allentown Parents Charged For Toddler's 2021 Fentanyl Overdose: DA Allentown Parents Charged For Toddler's 2021 Fentanyl Overdose: DA
Allentown Parents Charged For Toddler's 2021 Fentanyl Overdose: DA A man and a woman face third-degree murder charges three years after their 22-month-old son died from a fentanyl overdose, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office says. Jorge Suarez-Santiago, 32, and Jayleen Rivas-Rodriguez, 35, are both wanted on arrest warrants, prosecutors said in a release on Wednesday, April 17.  According to investigators, their son Johansy Suarez-Rivas died at St. Luke’s Hospital-Sacred Heart on April 5, 2021. Authorities said he had 16.5 nanograms per millimeter of fentanyl in his blood at the time.  Suuarez-Rivas' cause of death …
Allentown Driver Charged For Crash That Killed 77-Year-Old Pedestrian: DA Allentown Driver Charged For Crash That Killed 77-Year-Old Pedestrian: DA
Allentown Driver Charged For Crash That Killed 77-Year-Old Pedestrian: DA An Allentown man is charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI in connection with a deadly 2022 crash, authorities say.  Shaba Xavier Hill, 24, is also charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and related counts, said the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.  Investigators said Hill struck 77-year-old John C. Nick on Oct. 30, 2022. Nick was found lying near the pedestrian crosswalk at Springhouse Road and Springwood Drive while Hill's Subaru Outback was found idling nearby, according to the DA's Office.  Police at the scene said Hill "had the odor o…