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Lancaster County District Attorney's Office

250+ Grams of Meth, 14 Grams Of Coke, 67 Clonazepam Pills, Guns Found In Central PA Home: DA 250+ Grams of Meth, 14 Grams Of Coke, 67 Clonazepam Pills, Guns Found In Central PA Home: DA
Chene Skowronek Accused Of Dealing Meth, Coke, Clonazepam A massive drug bust was made after a man was recorded selling an undercover officer methamphetamine, the Lancaster County District Attorney's office announced on Tuesday, April 23. Chene Karma Skowronek, 44 of the 2100 block of Kramer Mill Road in Stevens, East Cocalico Township has been under investigation by the Lancaster County Drug Task Force since he first sold methamphetamine to an undercover member in Dec. 2023, as detailed in DA's release.   Since that then, Skowronek "made multiple undercover/confidential informant purchases using pre-recorded money from the defendan…
MURDER-SUICIDE: Police ID Husband, Wife Found Dead In Penn Township Home MURDER-SUICIDE: Police ID Husband, Wife Found Dead In Penn Township Home
Penn Township Murder Suicide Diane Mark Shepherd Police have identified the couple found dead in what they say was a murder-suicide in a Lancaster County home early Wednesday, April 10. Mark E. Shepherd, 71, shot his wife Diane L. Shepherd, 63, and then himself in their home on the 300 block of Sun Hill Road in Penn Township, bringing police to the scene just after 4 a.m., Northern Lancaster County Regional Police said. The couple's extended family was inside the home at the time of the incident. They told police that they awoke to a loud domestic-related argument between Mark and Diane occurring in a separate part of the home. Multi…
Breakfast Shake Package Full of Psilocybin Mushrooms Found In Drug Dealer's Lititz Home: DA Breakfast Shake Package Full of Psilocybin Mushrooms Found In Drug Dealer's Lititz Home: DA
Timothy Jason Sherrin Hides Mushrooms In Breakfast Shake: DA Ghost guns, methamphetamine, and psilocybin mushrooms stuffed inside a protein powder breakfast shake container were all found at a Littiz's man's home by the Lancaster Drug Task Force, the district attorney announced on Monday, April 1.  Timothy Jason Sherrin, 41 of the 500 block of Greenhowe Drive, had allegedly stuffed the mushrooms in a Carnation Breakfast Essentials Rich Milk Chocolate package and had other illegal items throughout his home, as discovered during the warranted search at 2:24 p.m. on March 21, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Offic…
Bucks County Man 'Degloved' Cat's Chin, Faces Animal Cruelty Charge: Lancaster DA Bucks County Man 'Degloved' Cat's Chin, Faces Animal Cruelty Charge: Lancaster DA
Bucks County Man 'Degloved' Cat's Chin, Faces Animal Cruelty Charge: Lancaster DA A Bucks County man is charged with animal abuse after prosecutors say he badly injured a cat in Lancaster County.  Richard Swangler, a Bristol resident who "has been living in West Hempfield Township for the past several months," is being held in lieu of a $15,000 bail, said the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.  Authorities said Swangler reported a wild animal "which he believed to be a jaguar" was inside his home on the 100 block of W. Broad Street on March 3.  Officers arrived and saw bite marks on the 56-year-old's arms but found no wild animal,…
Teen Girl Killed By DUI Dad In Central PA Crash, Authorities Teen Girl Killed By DUI Dad In Central PA Crash, Authorities
DUI, Jeremy Leonard, Caused Crash Killing Kamryn Elwood, 19 A 37-year-old dad is behind bars approximately two and a half years after he caused a crash that killed a teenage passenger in his vehicle, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday, March 1.  Jeremy Leonard of the first block of South Belmont Road in Paradise, was on schedule 1 drugs when he crashed a blue Honda Civic into a tree in the first block of Corner Ketch Road in Paradise Township at approximately 8:16 p.m. on July 13, 2021 — killing Kamryn Darlene Elwood, authorities detailed in several releases over the years since the crash.  …
PA Child Rapist Who Hid Ex-GF's Daughter's Body In Freezer Sentenced: DA PA Child Rapist Who Hid Ex-GF's Daughter's Body In Freezer Sentenced: DA
Jason Shackelford Gets Sentenced For Killing Elaina Smith A 40-year-old registered sex offender has admitted to raping his ex-girlfriend and her daughter before killing the 12-year-old and hiding her body in a freezer, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday, March. 1.  Jason Shackelford, of the 500 block of Avenue H in Columbia, PA, "admitted guilt on charges of first-degree murder, rape of a child, two counts of rape, three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, four counts of sexual assault, and strangulation," the DA stated in the release.  Elaina Smith of Columbia Borough was raped, strang…
VA Man Who Came To PA For Sex With Child Stays For Prison Sentence: DA VA Man Who Came To PA For Sex With Child Stays For Prison Sentence: DA
VA Man Who Came To PA For Sex With Child Stays For Prison Sentence: DA A Virginia man who pleaded guilty in connection to traveling to Pennsylvania to have sex with a child has been sentenced, the Lancaster County District Attorney's office announced on Tuesday, Feb. 20.  Tanner Iskra, 38 of the 2100 block of Harpoon Drive, Stafford, VA, pleaded guilty in Sept. 2023 to attempted statutory sexual assault (11 years older), attempted corruption of minors, and criminal use of a communication facility, DA Heather Adams detailed in the release.  Iskra was sentenced to 11-23 months in prison, eight years of probation, and he must register as a sex offender …
Child Found Manheim Mom Murdered, Manhunt For Husband Continues: Affidavit Child Found Manheim Mom Murdered, Manhunt For Husband Continues: Affidavit
Matthew Harrison On Run After Charged With Killing Wife Jami New details have been released about a mom's murder as a manhunt continues for her husband. ***UPDATE: MATTHEW HARRISON Was CAPTURED On Thursday evening, Feb. 8; CLICK HERE TO READ OUR FULL REPORT*** ORIGINAL REPORT: Matthew Scott Harrison, 48 of Manheim, originally of Hellam, is on the run after his wife was found dead by a child on Monday, Feb. 5, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice. Jami Harrison's daughter told police that her mom and her husband Matthew Harrison argued on Friday, Feb. 2, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Matthew had separated from his wi…
Columbia Convict Found Guilty Of Fatally Shooting Mississippi Man At Manheim Night: DA Columbia Convict Found Guilty Of Fatally Shooting Mississippi Man At Manheim Night: DA
Tyler Jamel Wilson Guilty Of Killing Jatavis Devonte Scott Club23 may have closed nearly a year ago, but a deadly shooting at the Lancaster County nightclub will never be forgotten by a Mississippi family.  Jatavis Devonte Scott, 25 of Mound Bayou, MS, died at Lancaster General Hospital on March 19 not long after he was shot by Tyler Jamel Wilson, now 29 of Columbia, PA, the Lancaster County District Attorney's office announced on Thursday, Feb. 1.  Wilson "was found guilty by [a] jury of third-degree murder, persons not to possess a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, and eight counts of recklessly endangering a…
Infant Child Porn Among 2K+ Images Found On Pennsylvania Man Also Charged In Cold Case: DA Infant Child Porn Among 2K+ Images Found On Pennsylvania Man Also Charged In Cold Case: DA
Eric Dorwart Charged 2nd Child Assault Case In 5 Months A search warrant at the home of a man — charged in a cold case of sexual assault of two children — led the Pennsylvania State Police to over two thousand images of child pornography, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23.  Eric Dorwart, 54, of the 500 block of Pleasure Road in Manheim Township has been charged for the second time in three months for sexually assaulting children, the DA explained.  Dorwart was matched by DNA to the cold case assault of a boy and girl on West Newport Road, Gordonville, Leacock on April 4th, 1997, acc…
Elizabethtown Accountant Found With Child Porn 4 Times, Heads To Prison: DA Elizabethtown Accountant Found With Child Porn 4 Times, Heads To Prison: DA
Elizabethtown Accountant Phillip Miller Pleads Guilty— Again A Lancaster County accountant has pleaded to possessing child pornography — again, authorities announced on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.  Phillip Keith Miller, 64, of the 800 block of Rutts Road, West Donegal Township, is heading to prison for 18 to 36 years after his employees found the images on his work computer, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office explained in the release.  Miller was previously sentenced to serve three consecutive five-year probation sentences for possessing over 70 videos and over 500 photos of child pornography at his business located at Philip K…
PA Man Admits To Filming Child Rapes In Multiple Counties For 6 Years: DA PA Man Admits To Filming Child Rapes In Multiple Counties For 6 Years: DA
PA Man Admits To Filming Child Rapes In Multiple Counties For 6 Years: DA A man has admitted to raping a child in his care and filming it, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announce on Monday, Jan. 8.  On Wednesday, Jan. 3, Arturo Aleman, 47, of the 100 block of Green Street, Lancaster, admitted to raping a child in his care in Lancaster and Berks counties from 2016 through 2022.  When the girl was just 14 years old she "disclosed the abuse to Lancaster City Bureau of Police Detective Jessica Higgins, who began her investigation in Oct. 2022," the DA explained.  The abuse happened from when the girl was approximately 8 years old…
DNA Matches Lititz 18-Year-Old To Rape Of 15-Year-Old Girl: Police DNA Matches Lititz 18-Year-Old To Rape Of 15-Year-Old Girl: Police
DNA Matches Lititz 18-Year-Old To Rape Of 15-Year-Old Girl: Police A Lititz teen has been charged in connection with the rape of a younger teenage girl, Northern Lancaster Regional Police announced on Jan. 1, 2024.  Elyas Ryan Hoag, 18, was identified as the suspect through evidence including a DNA match, according to the police.  NLCRPD detectives began their investigation into the incident after the 15-year-old girl's rape in the first block of Apple Hill Drive Warwick Township was reported at 12:48 a.m. on April 11, 2023. The DNA samples and additional evidence was reviewed the caseby Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office and the …
Girl Under 6-Years-Old Sexually Assaulted By Lititz Man, Police Say Girl Under 6-Years-Old Sexually Assaulted By Lititz Man, Police Say
Wesley Kilpatrick Charged For Sexual Assault Of Girl Under 6 A man has been charged in connection with multiple sexual assaults of a girl under the age of six, Northern Lancaster County Regional police announced on Monday, Jan. 1., 2024.  Detectives began investigating Wesley Franklin Kilpatrick, 27 of Lititz, in July 2023. That's when they "received a report of alleged sexual assault of a female under the age of 6," as stated in the police release.  The police explained that the "investigation revealed that Kilpatrick assaulted the victim multiple times during 2021 and 2022." All of the assaults reportedly took place at a home in the 900 …
PA Sex Offender Shot Dead By US Marshals Trying To Serve Warrant For Rape: DA PA Sex Offender Shot Dead By US Marshals Trying To Serve Warrant For Rape: DA
Shane Kelec Shot Dead By US Marshals In Elizabethtown: DA A man wanted on charges in connection with a violent rape in Elizabethtown Borough was shot dead in what the Lancaster County District Attorney's office is calling "an officer-involved shooting" on Thursday afternoon.  Shane Robert Kelec, 38 of the 1700 block of Stone Mill Road, Lancaster was wanted on rape and aggravated assault, among other changes for the terrifying incident that happened in the 900 block of Hedgewyck Lane, Elizabethtown, as detailed in the DA's original release. He had a firearm on him when members of the United States Marshals’ Eastern District Violent Crime…
US Marshals Kill Sex Offender Wanted For Violent Rape In Pennsylvania: DA US Marshals Kill Sex Offender Wanted For Violent Rape In Pennsylvania: DA
Sex Offender Shane Kelec Killed By US Marshals: DA A registered sexual offender with a history of abusing children and fighting — who was wanted in connection with a violent rape in Elizabethtown Borough — has been shot dead by US Marshals, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's office.  Shane Robert Kelec, 38 of the 1700 block of Stone Mill Road, Lancaster was wanted on rape and aggravated assault, among other changes for the terrifying incident that happened in the 900 block of Hedgewyck Lane, Elizabethtown, as detailed in the DA's intial release.  The rape and brutal beating happened around 8:05 a.m. on Dec…
'I Have A IED In My Car :-)' PA Man Leaves Note At Business: DA 'I Have A IED In My Car :-)' PA Man Leaves Note At Business: DA
Pharohe Jahcovi Scott Pens Threat At Americold Logistics: DA A York man is accused of leaving a serious threat at a business, the Lancaster County District Attorney's office announced on Tuesday, Dec. 20.  Pharohe Jahcovi Scott, 22 of the 400 block of South Albemarle Street, York, was spotted on security camera leaving a note reading “I have a IED in my car,” with a hand-drawn smiley face at Americold Logistics located at 3800 Hempland Road in Mountville, as stated in the DA's release. Some employees found the note in a "public area on the business premises" around 9:07 a.m. on May 11, 2023, as detailed in the release.  The DA explained th…
PA Man Committed Incest Rape Of Child, Police Say PA Man Committed Incest Rape Of Child, Police Say
Walter Omar Hernandez-Sosof Accused Of Incest, Rape Of Child A 28-year-old man was arrested Friday on incest and child rape charges, Lititz Borough of Police announced.  Walter Omar Hernandez-Sosof of Lititz was charged just seven days after the LBPD received the report of the sexual abuse of a child in his family in the first block of Pennwick Drive in Lititz Borough. "The alleged abuse occurred over the course of several months," at the home, police said.  They immediately began to investigate. As soon as they had probable cause they arrested Hernandez-Sosof with the approval of the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.  He …
'My Son Killed My Roommate' Teen Charged With Homicide: Lancaster DA 'My Son Killed My Roommate' Teen Charged With Homicide: Lancaster DA
Brian Deante Gray Charged With Michael Pfender's Homicide An 18-year-old has been charged with homicide for killing his dad's roommate, the Lancaster County District Attorney's office announced on Wednesday.  Brian Deante Gray "just snapped" and beat his dad's roommate 68-year-old Michael Xavier Pfender to death on Monday, his father told police according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice.  Gray and Pfender had been drinking and hanging out in a garage on the 1000 block of North Duke Street in Manheim Township when he beat him to death, as detailed in the affidavit.  Pfender appears to have been staying wit…
Driver On Clonazepam With BAC 2X Limit, Sentenced For Fatal High-Speed Ephrata Crash Driver On Clonazepam With BAC 2X Limit, Sentenced For Fatal High-Speed Ephrata Crash
Driver On Clonazepam With BAC 2X Limit, Sentenced For Fatal High-Speed Ephrata Crash A 31-year-old man will serve up to 20 years for killing a man while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in central Pennsylvania, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.  Derek James Sensenig will serve a minimum of eight years and a maximum of 20 years in prison as ordered during sentencing by Lancaster County President Judge David Ashworth. He faced the possibility of a minimum of seven years and a maximum of 34, the DA explained when he pleaded guilty.  Sensening, of the 100 block of Fulton Street in Akron…
Man With 'AR' Shot By Police Officers Dies In Hospital 5 Weeks Later: Lancaster DA (UPDATE) Man With 'AR' Shot By Police Officers Dies In Hospital 5 Weeks Later: Lancaster DA (UPDATE)
Man With 'AR' Shot By Police Officers Dies In Hospital 5 Weeks Later: Lancaster DA (Update) UPDATE: A man died in the hospital in January after what police called "an officer-involved shooting" during a "domestic incident"  in Nov., the Lancaster County DA said.  William Oneill,40,  had been charged with criminal attempt homicide and related charges, for his role in an officer-involved shooting that occurred Nov. 29, 2023, in the 100 block of Hershey Avenue, but he succumbed to his injuries sustained in the shooting on January 3, the DA said in an updated release adding that, "the charges against Oneill will be withdrawn by our office." ORIGINAL: Three Lancaster Ci…
No Charges After 3-Year-Old Boy Found Shot Dead At Lancaster Campground: DA No Charges After 3-Year-Old Boy Found Shot Dead At Lancaster Campground: DA
No Charges After 3-Year-Old Boy Found Shot Dead At Lancaster Campground: DA A 3-year-old boy Virginian boy's parents will not be charged after he shot himself dead at Tucquan Family Park Campground in Pennsylvania on Oct. 20, the Lancaster County District Attorney's office announced on Wednesday, Nov. 22. "This mistake in judgment ultimately led to the child’s death but did not rise to the level of a criminal act based upon the nature and intent of the circumstances,"  DA Heather Adams explained in the release. The boy was found shortly after a shooting was reported at the camp located at 917 River Road, Holtwood, Martic Township, Lancaster County First Deputy Cor…
Mini Golf Manager 'Engaged In Sex Acts' With Teen Co-Worker: Lancaster DA Mini Golf Manager 'Engaged In Sex Acts' With Teen Co-Worker: Lancaster DA
Mini Golf Manager 'Engaged In Sex Acts' With Teen Co-Worker: Lancaster DA A man who had worked with children at schools, church, and a mini golf course has been arrested on charges related to the sexual abuse of children, authorities announced on Tuesday, Nov. 21.  David Preston Griffith, 28 of Strasburg Township, has only been under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police for child sex abuse allegations since Oct. 2023, and although these cases can take years, video evidence and cooperation of the schools and the business where he worked help speed up the investigation.  Griffith worked for Lancaster's Phoenix Academy and volunteered with Lampeter-Stras…
Manheim Man Out On Bail After Allegedly Stabbing Man 6 Times In The Neck, Back Manheim Man Out On Bail After Allegedly Stabbing Man 6 Times In The Neck, Back
Manheim Man Out On Bail After Allegedly Stabbing Man 6 Times In The Neck, Back A week after a serious literal backstabbing, a 23-year-old man has been released on ten percent in cash of $25,000, court records show.  Thomas Myles O’Byrne of Manheim is accused of stabbing 30-year-old Kenneth B. Yingst of Manheim six times 6 times to the back and neck area with a knife around 5:50 p.m. on Nov. 6.  Northern Lancaster County Regional police officers responded to the "reported stabbing in progress" in the 1000 block of White Oak Road, Penn Township. They found Yingst lying on the ground bleeding from his multiple stab wounds, as detailed in numerous police releas…
PA Man Who Kept 'Bag Of Blood' After Brutal Killings, Burnings Learns His Fate: Lancaster DA PA Man Who Kept 'Bag Of Blood' After Brutal Killings, Burnings Learns His Fate: Lancaster DA
PA Man Who Kept 'Bag Of Blood' After Brutal Killings, Burnings Learns His Fate: Lancaster DA A 39-year-old man has been sentenced for killing two men and burning their bodies in an attempt to cover up his crimes, according to a release by the Lancaster County District Attorney's office on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Ezequiel "Zeke" Almodovar of the 1500 block of Hunsecker Road was convicted of two counts of first-degree homicide, one count of reckless burning or exploding, two counts of abuse of a corpse, and one count of tampering with or fabricating on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the DA previously said and court records confirmed.  The conviction cames at the end of an eight-day jur…
Mom Charged With Murder Was On Meth When Infant Died From Exposure: Lancaster County DA Mom Charged With Murder Was On Meth When Infant Died From Exposure: Lancaster County DA
Mom Charged With Murder Was On Meth When Infant Died From Exposure: Lancaster County DA A 32-year-old mom was on methamphetamine when her infant daughter died from exposure, the Lancaster County District Attorney's office confirmed on Wednesday, Nov. 1.  Emily Rose Weaver's 3-month-old girl died after being left in a vehicle, authorities announced on Thursday, Oct. 5.  The Columbia Borough mom of three and Alvernia University Graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice has been arrested after her infant daughter was found unresponsive in a vehicle in the 4300 block of Fairview Road, West Hempfield Township at approximately 4:36 p.m., according to a release by the…
Mystery Solved! DNA Leads To Arrest In Lancaster County's Oldest Cold Case Mystery Solved! DNA Leads To Arrest In Lancaster County's Oldest Cold Case
Mystery Solved! DNA Leads To Arrest In Lancaster County's Oldest Cold Case In 1975 a 19-year-old newlywed was brutally murdered, but thanks to DNA evidence her alleged killer has been revealed, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams announced. Lancaster County's oldest cold case homicide was that of Lindy Sue Biechler whose "life was brutally taken away from her 46 years ago in the sanctity of her own home," DA Adams said.  David Vincent Sinopoli, now 69 of the 300 block of Faulkner Drive, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and burglary in connection with Biechler's death on Thursday, Oct. 19.  His plea comes …
Amish 4-Year-Old Boy Dies After Farming Accident In Central PA Amish 4-Year-Old Boy Dies After Farming Accident In Central PA
Amish 4-Year-Old Boy Dies After Farming Accident In Central PA An Amish 4-year-old boy is dead following a farming accident, according to his obituary. Levi L. Stoltzfus, was the son of Samuel and Mary Stoltzfus of the 700 block of Kames Hill Road in Columbia, as detailed in his obituary.  He "was injured when a farm helper using a piece of unspecified equipment ran into him while moving hay bales on a property," as stated in a report by Lancaster Online.  The farm hand did not see the child while he was moving the hay bales, West Hempfield Township Police Captain Douglas Ober told abc27.  The type of farming equipment that struck Levi…
Lititz Man Who Struck Amish Teen Dead Sentenced, 'Not Their Place To Judge' Community Says Lititz Man Who Struck Amish Teen Dead Sentenced, 'Not Their Place To Judge' Community Says
Lititz Man Who Struck Amish Teen Dead Sentenced, 'Not Their Place To Judge' Community Says A Lititz man who pleaded guilty to striking an Amish horse and buggy — killing an Amish teen — has been sentenced by an "English" judge but the local Amish community apparently feels differently about the tragedy. Phillip Cornelius Sullivan, II, then 18 years old, driving a 2009 Lexus Sedan, struck a horse-drawn buggy, ejecting the driver, 18-year-old Andrew J. Stoltzfus of Honey Brook, before fleeing the scene, according to the police. The whole incident happened along the 5700 block of Division Highway around 2:45 a.m. on July 5, 2021, as Daily Vice reported at the time.  Stoltzfus …
Lancaster County Woman Loses $115K To NY Duo Posing As DEA, Authorities Say Lancaster County Woman Loses $115K To NY Duo Posing As DEA, Authorities Say
Lancaster County Woman Loses $115K To NY Duo Posing As DEA, Authorities Say Two illegal immigrants living in New York contacted an elderly Pennsylvania woman claiming her social security number was used in the commission of narcotics dealing and money laundering — but she could avoid prosecution if her assets were handed over to the fake government employees, officials explained in multiple releases on Friday, Sept. 29.  Vikram Singh, 22, and Devraj Devraj of South Ozone Park have been charged with theft by deception, criminal use of a communication facility, and two counts of theft by extortion in connection with the scheme.  The police first b…
GUILTY! Driver Admits To DUI At High-Speed In Ephrata Deadly Crash GUILTY! Driver Admits To DUI At High-Speed In Ephrata Deadly Crash
Guilty! Driver Admits To DUI At High-Speed In Ephrata Deadly Crash A 30-year man has pleaded guilty to killing a man while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in central Pennsylvania, police say.  Derek James Sensenig, 30, of Akron, was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic in his 2020 Lincoln Aviator SUV when he crossed the double yellow line and caused a two-crash in the 3900 block of Oregon Pike on Friday, September 2, 2022, at 11:37 a.m., according to West Earl Township police.  Sensenig hit a 2011 Toyota Camry driven by Jeffrey Myers, 65, of Brownstown who "was pronounced deceased upon arrival at (Lancas…