Press release: Members of the Monticello police arrested Anthony Huertas, age 36, of the Bronx on Friday 12/28/18. Huertas was charged with the Felony of Assault on a police officer and misdemeanors of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and the violation of harassment in the 2^nd degree. Huertas was also wanted by NYS Parole as a parole absconder.

At 11:55 PM Friday, a Monticello police officer while on patrol on Jefferson Streetin the village of Monticello observed Huertas and a female standing in the middle of the roadway. Huertas was not wearing a shirt and the female was crying. When the officer exited his vehicle to interview them, Huertas then fled on foot. Officers chased after Huertas and caught him on Raceway Road. Huertas physically struggled with officers before being taken into custody. An interview of the female, who was involved in a relationship with Huertas, revealed that Huertas had tried to suffocate her with a blanket, struck her in the face and also verbally threatened to kill her.

While at the Monticello police station, Huertas did intentionally bite a Monticello Police Sergeant on his left forearm. The sergeant was treated by Mobile Medic Ambulance for a laceration, bruising and swelling to his forearm. Huertas is currently on parole in NYS until 2023 for a prior conviction of robbery in the 1^st degree, was wanted on a Parole Absconder arrest warrant issued on 11/30/18. Huertas was remanded to the Sullivan County Jail without bail pending further court action.  

 HONESDALE, PA — Police say a 90-year-old Honesdale man shot an intruder after the suspect said he was going to enter the man’s home in the middle of the night.  Pennsylvania State Police say they were summoned to the home of William Gabriellini on Butternut Flats Rd.  after a report that a male had tried to force his way into the home.

Police say Adam Gelatt repeated banged on the back door at about 3:00 am.  Gabriellini went to the door carrying a revolver. Gelatt told the older man that he wanted to come in the house and he wanted a cigarette.  Gabriellini told Gelatt he could not come inside, and Gelatt responded that he was going to enter the home anyway. Gelatt then pulled what Gabriellini thought was a gun from his pocket. Gabriellini then raised his gun and shot Gelatt in the leg. Gabriellini then locked the door and called police.

When state police arrived they found Gelatt on the back porch with an apparent gunshot wound to the leg. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment and police say he will be charged.

MONTICELLO, NY —A Monticello woman has been arrested for allegedly stabbing another woman. Monticello police say they responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence on Park Ave. in Monticello on at about 3:00 am on Jan. 12.

When they arrived police found a 26-year-old woman who was bleeding from a wound to her leg. The victim told the officers that Joyce Houseman, 27, had stabbed her twice in the leg with a pair of scissors during a domestic dispute. There was an active order of protection against Houseman at the time.

While officers were interviewing the victim, Housman returned to the scene and she was arrested. The victim was transported by Mobile Medic Ambulance to CRMC in Harris for medical treatment. Housman was arraigned in the Village of Monticello Justice Court and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail on $100,000.00 bail pending further court action.

Press Release: The Pennsylvania State Police and Patrick L. Robinson, Wayne County District Attorney, announced the arrest of Terrell O’ Neal Boozer, age 31, of Philadelphia for the Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.  Boozer and two (2) accomplices stole in excess of $19,000.00 from the Tri-State Tobacco store located at 350 Grandview Avenue in Texas Township.  The Robbery took place on October 19, 2018 at approximately 6:30 am. Boozer was arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department for a traffic stop on Thursday, January 10, 2019.   He was arraigned by Magistrate Judge Linus Myers and remanded to the Wayne County Prison in lieu of $150,000.00 bail.  His initial court appearance is scheduled for January 23, 2019.  

District Attorney Robinson stated that the Pennsylvania State Police, both in Honesdale and at the Blooming Grove Barracks did an outstanding job in investigating this case.  The tobacco store clerk was assaulted, threatened, and forced to open the safe.  This kind of outrageous conduct cannot and will not be tolerated.

MONTICELLO, NY — In a continuing investigation into the misuse of Medicaid transportation services, the Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force has arrested Carl M. Wolkoff, age 57, of Monticello. Wolkoff was charged on Jan. 17 with the felony of offering a false instrument for filing and the misdemeanor of theft of services.

Police allege that Wolkoff used Medicaid transportation over the last five years as a personal taxi service instead of for its intended use to make doctor visits. Officials believe that Wolkoff racked up approximately $10,000 in fraudulent Medicaid charges.

Task force members were waiting for Wolkoff at his residence at about 3:00 pm on Jan. 17 when he pulled up in a Medicaid taxi. He was apparently returning from a local laundromat with a bag of freshly washed clothes.

Wolkoff was arraigned before Town of Liberty Judge Kirk Orseck and sent to the Sullivan County Jail without bail.

Undersheriff Eric Chaboty said that the Task Force is actively auditing all Medicaid taxi rides in Sullivan County. “We expect more arrests”, said Chaboty.

Press release from Pike County District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin: the following criminal sentences were issued by Pike County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Gregory Chelak:

Brandon J. Osterhoudt, age 25, of Sparrowbush, NY, was sentenced to 6 months of probation  and fined $300.00 for the crime of Possession of a Controlled Substance.  While passing through a vehicle check point conducted by the state police along SR 739 and Route 209 in Delaware Township on June 20, 2018, the trooper detected the smell of Marihuana coming from Osterhoudt’s vehicle.  A search of the vehicle revealed Marihuana, Suboxone and various pills for which Osterhoudt did not have a prescription.

Louis Robert Malchiodi, age 34, of Staten Island, NY, was sentenced to 10 days to 2 years in the Pike County Jail, fined $1,000.00 and had his driver’s license suspended for 12 months for the crime of Driving Under the Influence.  The state police questioned Malchiodi along SR 507 in Greene Township on February 14, 2015, after he demonstrated confused behavior.  In speaking with Malchiodi, the trooper detected the smell of an alcoholic beverage and observed Malichiodi to have slurred speech, glassy bloodshot eyes and constructed pupils.  A blood test confirmed a blood alcohol content of .103%.

Brian Michael Pittenger, age 30, of Hawley, PA, was sentenced to 90 days to 5 years in the Pike County Jail, fined $1,500.00 and had his driver’s license suspended for 18 months for the crime of Driving Under the Influence.  The state police were dispatched to a business parking lot off of SR 739 in Blooming Grove Township on July 29, 2018, where Pittinger was driving his vehicle erratically.  When the trooper approached Pittenger’s vehicle, he observed an open beer in his hand, detected the smell of an alcoholic beverage, and observed Pittenger to have glassy, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.  Field Sobriety Tests were conducted which indicated intoxication and a breath test confirmed a blood alcohol content of .207%.

Donna Jean Keffer, age 53, of Lake Ariel, PA, was sentenced to 30 days to 6 months in the Pike County Jail, fined $1,200.00 and had her driver’s license suspended for 12 months for the crimes of Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and Drivers Required to be Licensed.  The state police were directed to SR 6 in Palmyra Township on December 19, 2017, where Keffer was observed driving erratically.  In speaking with Keffer, the trooper observed Keffer to be nervous, lethargic, slurring her speech and having constricted unreactive pupils.  Field Sobriety Tests were conducted which showed intoxication and a blood test confirmed the presence of Xanax in her body.  Keffer was also found to be driving without a license.

William E. Coleman, age 30, of Matamoras, PA, was sentenced to 1 month to 12 months in the Pike County Jail, followed by 24 months of probation and fined $1,500.00 for the crimes of Simple Assault, Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct.  On April 17, 2016, at an establishment in Milford Borough, Coleman struck an individual and pushed the individual into a urinal causing injury to the individual and structure damage.

Scott Anthony Wenegrat, age 22, of Blooming Dale, NJ, was sentenced to a $300.00 fine for the crime of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Eastern Pike Regional Police Department were dispatched to a verbal dispute involving Wenegrat at a business parking lot along Pennsylvania Avenue in Matamoras on May 2, 2017.  During a safety pat down, Wenegrat was found in possession of a Marihuana pipe. 

Wayne Henry Ehlers, age 39, of Bushkill, PA, was sentenced to 12 months of probation and fined $300.00 for the crime of Theft by Deception.  Ehlers deceived a local business into providing $3,000.00 cash, a tractor with a plow and additional equipment and then failed to deliver upon promises made.

Thomas Allen Shafer, age 30, presently housed in the Pike County Correctional Facility, was sentenced to 3 months to 6 months in the Pike County Jail and fined $700.00 for the crimes of Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Flight to Avoid Apprehension.  Shafer was a passenger in a vehicle observed by the state police to be weaving along Route 507 in Palmyra Township on July 20, 2018.  When the trooper activated his emergency lights and siren, the vehicle sped off, then decelerated when Shafer jumped out of the passenger door and fled on foot.  Shafer was brought down when a taser was deployed.  Shafer continued to ignore commands when being placed under arrest.  Shafer was also found in possession of a Marihuana pipe.

Press release: Milford, Pa.- The District Attorneys of Pike and Wayne County and the Pennsylvania State Police announced the arrests of 7 individuals and an arrest warrant for another related to a drug ring that operated in both Pike and Wayne Counties.  The arrests were the culmination of a five-month long investigation into the sales of heroin and fentanyl by the Pennsylvania State Police Vice unit, and county detectives from both Pike and Wayne County. The Pike County and Wayne County Coroner’s Office were also part of the investigation. The New York State Police and Pike County Sheriff’s Department also assisted in the investigation.

Arrested were Jessica Phillips, age 30, of Lackawaxen, Carley Liguori, age 27, of Blooming Grove, Diane Phillips, age 55, of Lackawaxen, Wendy Fuehrer, age 53, of Paupack Township, Wayne County, William Phillips, III, age 28, of Lackawaxen, Lauren Phillips, age 34, of Lackawaxen, and Charles Warnott, age 35, of Honesdale.  Remaining at large is Francisco Abreu-Pena, age 44, last known address of the Bronx, NY.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in support of the charges Pennsylvania State Police investigators used controlled purchases of fentanyl/heroin, search warrants, electronic surveillance and witness interviews to build the case against the drug ring.  The affidavit indicates a belief of the participants that the fentanyl/heroin was coming from Mexico, and that they travelled to Indianapolis, Indiana to pick it up.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal charges, the investigation began in August of last year with a series of purchases of fentanyl and heroin from William Phillips, III, in Lackawaxen and Blooming Grove Townships.  During two of the purchases by an informant, Carley Liguori drove William Phillips to the place set to meet for the sale of the fentanyl/heroin. One at least one occasion, Liguori brought along her five-year old son.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, investigators made a purchase of fentanyl heroin from Diane Phillips at a residence in Lackawaxen.

In September, William Phillips was arrested after a search warrant found over seven grams of heroin/fentanyl in his possession.  Jessica Phillips was also arrested in September on a probation violation. 

Later in September, State Police investigators from Blooming Grove and the Pike County Coroner’s Office responded to a residence in Lackawaxen for a drug overdose.  There they discovered Kyle Ackerson, age 34, of Lackawaxen deceased.  An autopsy concluded that Ackerson had fentanyl, a metabolite of cocaine and alcohol in his system.  Pike County Coroner ruled Ackerson’s death as a result of mixed substance toxicity.  Investigators were able to make an undercover purchase of fentanyl from an individual.  From there investigators obtained new leads on the source of the fentanyl coming into Wayne and Pike Counties.  They learned that Francisco Abreu-Pena of the Bronx was bringing in quantities of fentanyl from New York City.

Through further investigation, investigators were later able to link the drugs used by Ackerson to Abreu-Pena and Wendy Fuehrer.

On October 15, 2018, troopers from the Blooming Grove State Police barracks responded to a residence in Lackawaxen for a possible drug overdose.  When they arrived Kyle Messinetti, age 26, was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital.  Messinetti was pronounced dead at the hospital.  Wayne County Coroner Edward Howell ordered an autopsy.  The autopsy showed that Messinetti died from the pharmacologic effects of fentanyl.

On November, 7, 2018, Pennsylvania State Police Investigators responded to a report of a possible overdose death in Paupack Township, Wayne County at 27 Maple Street the home of Wendy Fuehrer.  There investigators discovered Erin Phillips, age 32, the sibling of Jessica, Lauren and William Phillips, III, deceased.  Wayne County Coroner Edward Howell responded and had an autopsy completed.  After the autopsy Phillips’ death was ruled as a result of the pharmacologic effects of fentanyl and cocaine.

Investigators learned that Abreu-Pena had been at the home with Erin Phillips and came out of the room where she was found and told a witness she was not breathing, and that Abreu-Pena thought she was dead.  Abreu-Pena then hurriedly left the residence.

In December 2018 investigators made a purchase of suspected fentanyl/heroin from Lauren Phillips in Lackawaxen.

Earlier this month, troopers obtained arrest warrants for Jessica Philips, Lauren Phillips, Diane Phillips and William Phillips, III and Carly Liguori.  According to the affidavits, Jessica Phillips told investigators that on September 10, 2018, she asked Charles Warnott to obtain fentanyl/heroin form Abreu-Pena in the Bronx and bring it back to her at a residence in Wayne County.  According to Phillips, Warnott obtained 80 grams of fentanyl/heroin and brought it to her that night.  Phillips went on to tell investigators that she obtained quantities of fentanyl/heroin on a regular basis from Abreu-Pena to resell in the area.

Lauren Phillips told investigators that the day prior to Kyle Messinetti’s death she received a message from him asking if she wanted any “addies”, which Phillips understood to be Adderall.  She then met with Messinetti and traded him some fentanyl for the Adderall.  Phillips told investigators that the fentanyl she traded with Messinetti was fentanyl she had received from Abreu-Pena

Pike County District Attorney Tonkin stated, “the charges we have filed against this drug ring were only possible because of the dedication of State Police investigators to work tirelessly to put an end to the flow of fentanyl into this area. While all played a part in this investigation, the lead investigators were from the State Police Vice Unit.  We are extremely pleased with the State Police provided the resources to thoroughly investigate these crimes that took the life of these three young adults.”

Wayne County District Attorney Robinson stated “ I am extremely proud of the cooperative effort put into this investigation and the resulting criminal charges. The Pennsylvania State Police and the PSP Vice Unit did an outstanding job, using the latest technology, to identify these Defendants and charge them appropriately. The District Attorney’s Offices in Wayne and Pike County will continue to work together to address these Drug Delivery Resulting in Death cases. The drug dealers have no regard for county boundaries and we in law enforcement will work together to relentlessly pursue these dealers in poison regardless of where they are found.”

Pennsylvania State Police have charged Cole Dufton, 25, with the homicide of 51-year-old Suzette Bullis. She was shot to death with a single bullet through her head.

 According to court papers, the murder was committed on December 19, 2018.  The affidavit of probable cause contains a statement by Suzette’s daughter that indicates Suzette was selling some kind of bills to Dufton, and they may have had a disagreement regarding drugs.

 In the affidavit Trooper John Decker writes, “I arrived on scene. There appeared to be a gunshot wound to Suzette Bullis' head and a 9mm gold-colored FC casing was discovered at the scene, however, no firearm was located on scene. A large pooling of blood on the floor and carpet was observed emanating from Bullis. Apparent blood stains were observed on the bedspread of the victim' s bed. Numerous prescription pill bottles were observed in the victim's room as well as on the kitchen table and bed. Several pill bottles on the bed had apparent blood transfer on them. Several more pill bottles on the kitchen table also had blood transfer on them.”

A neighbor, Robert Cone, told police that he had recently been at Suzette’s home when Dufton arrived on the scene.  Dufton was upset and yelling at Suzette about a deal that had gone bad, and that Dufton was out $1500.   Cone said at one point Dufton pulled a handgun out of his waistband and slammed it down on the ottoman in the living room and “said he was going to kill the guy that stiffed him.”

Suzette’s daughter Melinda was also interviewed and said that Dufton was extremely upset with Suzette. From the affidavit, “Melinda advised that her mother sounded upset and very nervous. Melinda advised that she then asked her mother what this all was about. She advised that her mother told her that someone had really been after her for a lot of pills and when she told them no they got really upset. Melinda advised that she was aware that her mother had been selling pills for a long time and had never seen or heard her upset like this. Melinda then started asking Sue who this person was. Melinda advised that for several minutes Sue would not tell her who the person was. Melinda advised that eventually Sue told her that Cole Dufton was the one that was badgering her for the pills.”

Officers interviewed Dufton several times the next day, and he said he did not own a handgun.  But police ultimately found a gun in his house, and a social media post showed that he had received a handgun that looked very much like the one found in his house. They also discovered that in November Dufton had purchased the type of ammunition that killed Suzette.

District Attorney Robinson stated, “This execution style killing is very disgusting and obviously unconscionable. The Pennsylvania State Police did an outstanding job of investigating and documenting this crime as evidenced by the comprehensive Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by Trooper Decker. This Defendant, Cole Francis Dufton, had the motive, the means, and the opportunity to kill Suzette Bullis. Dufton is the last known person to see Suzette Bullis alive. Bullis was shot with a pistol found in Dufton’s bedroom. The circumstantial evidence is clear. I believe that this is a drug related murder. I will personally handle the prosecution of this Defendant.”

Press Release: Pike County District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin and the Pennsylvania State Police announce the arrest of Kyle James Piekenbrock, age 27, of Dingmans Ferry, PA for the overdose death of James Read, age 26, which occurred on February 1, 2018 at Read’s residence in Delaware Township.

State police charged Piekenbrock with the felony offenses of Drug Delivery Resulting in Death; Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.  Piekenbrock faces a potential of up to 40 years in prison.

According to the affidavit of probable cause in support of the charges, James Read was discovered deceased at his residence in Delaware Township in the morning on February 1, 2018.  Located at the residence were heroin packets with a stamp of “Death Bed” on the packets.  State Police recovered Read’s cellphone.  The Pike County District Attorney’s office Criminal Investigation Division assisted the State Police by performing a download of the phone.  The download revealed messages between Read and Piekenbrock discussing the purchase of heroin.

State Police arrested Piekenbrock on FEBRUARY 1, 2018, on an outstanding drug warrant.  During the arrest State police located 33 packets of heroin stamped “Death Bed”, $541.00 in cash and a needle.

 Pike County Coroner Christopher Brighton conducted coroner’s investigation into Read’s death.  According to the toxicology reports, Read had 190ng of morphine in his blood at the time of his death.  Coroner Brighton ruled the cause of Read’s death was heroin toxicity.

Pike County District Attorney Tonkin stated’ “We will continue to investigate, charge and prosecute the individuals who are responsible for peddling death into our community through this poison.”

Piekenbrock was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Paul Menditto, who remanded Piekenbrock to the Pike County Correctional Facility without bail.  A preliminary hearing was scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Menditto for February 12, 2019.

Press release: District Attorney Jim Farrell announced today that Randolph Dauch, 64, of White Lake, N.Y., was sentenced in Sullivan County Court by Judge Michael F. McGuire to six years in state prison and two years of post-release supervision for the possession of nearly 4,000 bags of heroin.  Farrell said that Dauch previously pled guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, a class B felony, and admitted to possessing 3,900 individually wrapped bags of heroin with the intent to sell them at his home on Route 17B in the Town of Bethel.  Police officials estimated the street value of the heroin to be worth approximately $40,000.00.  Farrell said that the New York State Police, assisted by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and the Bethel Constables, executed a search warrant on Dauch’s home in September of 2016 after an investigation into the distribution of heroin from that home and found the large cache of heroin, along with a scale used to measure individual quantities of heroin and $4,250.00 in United States Currency.  Dauch was ordered to forfeit the cash seized as part of the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking. 

Farrell said, “This was one of the largest heroin seizures in Sullivan County history and the sentence handed down today is evidence of my office’s commitment to hold drug dealers accountable and responsible.  This defendant was involved in the distribution of a significant amount of heroin and I am pleased that the Court imposed a substantial sentence in this case. I would like to thank the continued good work of our New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Unit and the Sheriff for the investigation in this case – their hard work resulted in the removal from our community of thousands of bags of heroin that were destined for our streets.  My law enforcement partners and I will continue to vigorously pursue drug traffickers who are negatively impacting and harming our communities by dealing in this poison.”

Dunmore, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police Blooming Grove Criminal Investigation Unit, while investigating the apparent overdose death of the victim, Donnamarie Larocca, determined that the heroin that led to her death was provided to her by Rocco Fradella.

Fradella was charged with the felony offenses of Drug Delivery Resulting in Death: Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Criminal Use of Communication Facility. This investigation remains open pending further investigation and court action.

MONTICELLO, NY —On Monday February 25, the Village of Liberty Police Department arrested Kaivena Woodall, 22, and Tylajah Jordan, 22, both of Monticello after an investigation into a robbery. Village of Liberty Police began the investigation when they were called to a residence on February 6. At that location they found an individual who reported that he had been attacked by two individuals with a hammer and had items stolen from his apartment.

The investigation resulted in identifying Woodall and Jordan as the individuals. They were taken into custody without further incident on February 25. Woodall and Jordan were both charged with robbery and assault both felonies, and criminal possession of weapon, petit larceny and criminal mischief misdemeanors.

Woodall and Jordan were arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Press release: Monticello Police arrested Carlos James Gilmore, age 58, of Monticello on Monday 3/4/19. Gilmore was charged with the felony of Criminal possession of a weapon and related charges.

At 5:00 PM Monday, Monticello police received a 911 report of a person who had possibly overdosed at the Monticello Post Office on Broadway in the Village of Monticello. Monticello Police Officers Tyrus Walker and Michael Napoli responded. Officers located Gilmore inside the post office. Gilmore was sitting in a chair unconscious and sweating profusely. Officers were able to wake Gilmore and then stand him upright. While interviewing Gilmore, the officers observed a bulge in his left coat pocket.

PO Walker then patted down Gilmore’s coat pocket and felt a heavy object which appeared to be a handgun. Officers then attempted to remove the object just as Gilmore reached into the pocket and tried grabbing onto it.

A Struggle then ensued with Gilmore and the officers. PO Napoli was able to pull Gilmore’s hand away from the pocket, while PO Walker held onto control of the object. PO Walker then removed the object, which was a plastic bag containing an illegally possessed “Highpoint” 9mm handgun and a magazine with 7 rounds of ammunition, and toss it on the floor. A postal employee on scene also assisted the officers by using his foot to move the handgun further away on the floor, as officers handcuffed Gilmore.

Gilmore was then taken into custody without further incident. Gilmore was also found to be in possession of heroin and hydrocodone pills.

Gilmore was arraigned in the Village of Monticello Justice Court and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail without bail pending further court action.

Press release: State Police Liberty on March 3 arrested Amanda L. Mead, age 40, Robert Mead, age 38 and Erin P. Smith, age 38, all from Livingston Manor, but listing their current living situation as “homeless”. All three subjects were charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, a Class C felony. Amanda Mead was in possession of a needle containing heroin and was additionally charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, an A Misdemeanor.

The arrests were made as the result of a two day investigation conducted by New York State Police at Liberty. A local resident reported a burglary of their unoccupied residence in the town of Rockland. All three subjects are suspected of entering the residence, spending the night inside and removing several items from within. Several witnesses were located and interviewed by the troopers assigned to the Roscoe Satellite Station. Liberty Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Uniform patrols were able to locate and take all thee subjects into custody.

All three were arraigned in the Town of Rockland Court by T/Justice Feinberg. Bail was set at $25,000 cash/bond for Amanda Mead. No bail for Robert Mead  and $25,000 for Erin Smith. All three are being held in the Sullivan County Jail pending a court appearance on April 4, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. 
 

HONESDALE, PA — Seven individuals, most residents of Wayne County, were arrested and/or charged with various felonies and misdemeanors in the wake of an undercover investigation into illegal sales of methamphetamine in the county. 

Those arrested received bail in varying amounts:  Shane Knecht, age 28, of Gouldsboro, PA, bail $25,000; Jasmine Muckle, age 21, of Lake Ariel, bail $20,000; Jeremiah Guthrie, age 49, of White Mills, bail $50,000; William Rave, age 24, of Honesdale, bail $25,000; Kyle Freiermuth, age 39, of Honesdale, to turn himself in on March 27; William Murphy, age 37, of Blakeslee, bail, $25,000; Toby Kimbrough, age 42, originally from Alabama and currently at large. Most of the suspects are incarcerated in the Wayne County prison.

 A press release from the office of Wayne County District Attorney Patrick Robinson says, “during the period of October 4, 2018 through December 9, 2018, Wayne County Drug Task Force Detectives utilized a confidential informant to purchase approximately 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 20 bags of heroin in three separate transactions for $2,700.00. These transactions took place in Texas Township, Berlin Township and Hawley Borough. 

Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Kimbrough is asked to call the Wayne County Detectives at (570) 253-4912.

Press release: A Swan Lake man is in the Sullivan County Jail after being arrested for owing $19861.50 in child support. Harold B. Wilson turned himself into the Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday and was charged with Non Support of a Child, a class A Misdemeanor. Wilson was wanted by the Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force, who had tracked him to a residence in Delaware County.

“The Task Force is currently tracking several dead beat parents”,  said Sheriff Mike Schiff. “Mr. Wilson made the correct choice when he found out we were coming for him”. Wilson was arraigned before Town of Thompson Judge Sharon Jankiewicz and sent to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $2000 bail pending a future court date.

As Child Abuse Prevention Month comes to a close, Pike County District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin announced several arrests made by the Pike County Criminal Investigative Division. The Pike County Criminal Investigation Division and the Pike County Children’s Advocacy Center, are part of a Multidisciplinary Investigative Team that works tirelessly on investigating, supporting, and making sure all children who are victimized have their voice heard.

The Children’s Advocacy Center is for child victims of alleged physical or sexual abuse. It is a safe pace, with a goal to have the child only talk about a traumatic experience to one person. In the past, a child may have ended up talking about their experience to many people, over and over again. With the Children’s Advocacy Center model, a child is brought to a safe, child focused environment, by a non-offending caregiver. Once there, the child talks about their experience to a trained interviewer, in a way that does not re-traumatize the child.

To report suspected child abuse please call ChildLine at 800-932-0313.

The following individuals have been charged as a result of the ongoing efforts by the Pike County Criminal Investigation Division, Pike County Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Multidisciplinary Investigative Team, including colleagues at the Northeast PA Children’s Advocacy Center and Pike County Children and Youth Services:

John Aumick, 52, formerly of Bushkill, PA was charged with Rape of a Child, Statutory Sexual Assault, 3 counts of Aggravated Indecent Assault, four counts of Criminal Attempt, Sexual Assault, 3 counts of Indecent Assault, Corruption of Minors, all felonies, Indecent Exposure and two counts of Invasion of Privacy, all misdemeanors.  In December 2017, at the Pike County Children’s Advocacy Center the child victim related that when she was 6 years old a relative, the Defendant John Aumick, raped her while she slept over his house. She related she pushed him away and told him to stop.  The child stated that a few weeks after Aumick had raped her, he walked over to her and started to touch her vagina with his fingers. The victim told Aumick to stop, which he did not. Aumick was committed to the Pike County Correctional Facility and bail was denied. Aumick had a preliminary hearing on March 19, 2019 and all charges were bound over. Aumick is currently scheduled for the July trial term.

Danielle Lavin, age 37, of Hawley, PA was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Victim less than 6, a Felony, Endangering the Welfare of Children, a Felony, and Simple Assault. On March 18, 2019 the Criminal Investigation Division received a report of an assault that occurred on a school bus. According to the criminal complaint, Lavin, the Legal guardian of the victim, is seen on video parking the school bus she was driving after she did not like the way the child was seated. Lavin proceeds to sit in the seat with the victim and slams him into the interior bus wall and seat, which is audibly heard on video. The other children present on the bus were visibly upset by Lavin’s actions. Lavin is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 14, 2019 at Magisterial District Judge Shannon Muir’s Office.

Matthew Keller, age 36, of Milford, PA was charged with Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Endangering the Welfare of Children. On January 10, 2019 a report was received and the Child victim was brought to the Pike County Children’s Advocacy Center. According to the criminal complaint Keller, struck the victim in the head several times. As a result of the blows to the head the child received a contusion which was photographed at the Children’s Advocacy Center. Keller waived his preliminary hearing in early April, and is currently being scheduled for an arraignment.

Michael Phraner, age 52, of Dingmans Ferry, PA was charged with Endangering the Welfare of Children and 2 counts of Simple Assault. On December 6, 2018, after an injury was observed on the victim’s nose and a report was received by the Criminal Investigation Division security footage was obtained from the McDonalds in Lords Valley, which showed Phraner hit the child in the head twice which resulted in the victim’s face to slam into a table, causing an injury.   On March 26, 2019, Phraner waived his preliminary hearing, and is currently being scheduled for an arraignment. Phraner is currently scheduled for the July Trial term.

Martin Wieczorek, age 60, of East Stroudsburg, PA was charged with Strangulation, Endangering the Welfare of Children, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and 2 counts of Simple Assault. During the victim’s interview at the Pike County Children’s Advocacy Center, the victim related that an incident between the victim and a sibling occurred, when Wieczorek ran upstairs, looked at both children, and started to curse out the victim, he then grabbed her by the neck pushing her back against the couch to the point she could not breath or move. Witnesses, who were also interviewed at the CAC observed the victims face turning red/purple. Wieczorek, had to be ripped off the victim.  Wieczorek was committed to the Pike County Correctional Facility in lieu of $20,000.00, and waived his preliminary hearing. Wieczorek is currently scheduled for the July Trial term.

Beau Becker, age 43, of Bushkill, PA was charged with Corruption of Minors, a Felony, Endangering the Welfare of Children, a Felony, Possession of a Small Amount of Marihuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In September 2018, an adult came forward alleging Becker had been having sex with her since she was 16. She described several incidents, the sex toys used and that Becker had a very specific scar on his penis. A search warrant was executed on Becker’s residence and several sex toys, pill bottles, marihuana, and paraphernalia were found.  Becker was committed to the Pike County Correctional Facility in lieu of $200,000.00 and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 7 and Magisterial District Judge Paul Menditto’s Office.

Brendan Draughon, 18 YOA, Michael Giordano, 18 YOA, Alexander Smith,18 YOA, and a Juvenile male, 16 YOA, all from Hawley, PA have been arrested for the charges of Aggravated Assault, and Criminal Mischief. This incident occurred as multiple vehicles were shot by BB guns while traveling on Bellemonte Avenue in Hawley Borough. When troopers arrived on scene and began canvassing the area, their patrol vehicle was also struck by a BB. The suspects then fled the area on foot. Subsequent investigation revealed the identities of the above-named actors.

Charges were filed on May 10.

Press Release: District Attorney Jim Farrell announced today that Shamell Moore, 25, of Monticello, N.Y. was sentenced in Sullivan County Court by Judge Frank LaBuda to 4 ½ years in state prison and 5 years of post-release supervision for his possession of an illegal and loaded 9 mm handgun in the Village of Monticello.  Farrell said that, when he entered his guilty plea, Moore admitted to possessing a loaded handgun, which was discovered during a vehicle and traffic stop on Broadway in Monticello on March 24, 2018.  Farrell said that, during the stop, Monticello Police patrol officers detected the strong odor of marihuana and subsequently discovered both Moore and another back seat passenger to be in possession of that drug. 

The other passenger with Moore was Juan Pena, also 25, of Monticello, who was sentenced in March of 2019 to a state prison term for his role in connection with the shooting of another man in the Village of Monticello in 2017 which was still under active police investigation at the time of this car stop.  When exiting the vehicle, Moore removed a jacket he was wearing, which contained the loaded handgun.  When the gun was discovered, Moore resisted arrest, fled the scene and a foot pursuit ensued, with Moore having to be tased in order to be taken into custody.  Farrell said he recommended that Moore be sentenced to 9 years in state prison as a result of his actions, his character and his position, as reported by Monticello Police, as a member of the Bloods street gang, specifically, the “Guns, Money, Bitches” set, in Monticello. 

Moore was recently served a trespass affidavit ordering him to stay out of the Evergreen Housing Authority property after a shooting that occurred there in April of this year; no one was hurt or struck by the gunfire.  That shooting is still under active investigation by Monticello Police.  Under the terms of his plea, Moore faced a minimum sentence of 3 ½ years and a maximum of 9 years in state prison. 

Farrell said, “I am very disappointed in the sentence handed down in this case and believe more time was warranted.  I firmly believe that the Monticello Police prevented this gun from being used in an act of violence in our community and this gun in the hands of this defendant or in the hands of Pena, posed a significant threat to all law abiding citizens of our community.  This car stop, first for a simple traffic infraction, escalated into a very dangerous situation as a result of the actions of this defendant and posed a clear and present danger to the two officers and they performed their duties with professionalism and skill and stopped violence in its tracks.  I thank our officers for protecting us and getting this gun off the streets and out of the defendant’s hands.”

Press release: Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell announced today that Victor Medina, 44, of Monticello, N.Y. was sentenced to eight years in state prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision for the possession of an illegal and loaded handgun.  Medina entered a plea of guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, a class C violent felony, and admitted to possessing a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun in a vehicle that was stopped by the New York State Police on State Route 17 in February of 2018. 

Farrell said that troopers stopped Medina’s vehicle after observing numerous vehicle and traffic violations and after an investigation discovered a quantity of cocaine, heroin, suboxone, Xanax and morphine sulfate.  The loaded handgun was found stashed in a void in the rear passenger door along with a digital scale.  Farrell praised the troopers and BCI investigators who assisted in this investigation as they were “alert and conducted a thorough investigation in this case that resulted in the seizure of drugs and a loaded handgun.  Medina had no business possessing this gun as a convicted felon and parolee and it was clear he was utilizing it in connection with the possession of these illegal drugs.” 

Farrell said Medina was sentenced as a second felony offender, having a prior conviction for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd Degree in 2009.  Medina was on parole for that prior felony conviction at the time of this new offense.