Criminal Justice

A Lehigh County jury found Steven M. Rosa, 30, guilty of first-degree homicide in the July 28, 2022, killing of Tywon Deleva Abner, 33, of Allentown just after 11 p.m. in the 500 block of West Allen Street.

A woman facing multiple felony charges in a fatal wrong-way crash last year on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was taken into custody Wednesday in Philadelphia, officials said.

Jose Batista-Gabin is the sixth person to face charges connected to 25-year-old Angel Martinez-Velez’s killing on June 1, 2024.

Police in the Lehigh Valley say the size of these gatherings presents a difficult operational challenge: how to respond without escalating already dangerous conditions involving fast-moving riders and large crowds.

Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, 25, of Allentown, has been charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle and related offenses in connection with a wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Tina Koren, 65, of Whitehall, who also is the township treasurer, was charged Monday with misdemeanor counts of official oppression and harassment, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said.

the operator reported unknown engine problems and tried to fly to a local airport in the area, but landed on I-78 eastbound at mile marker 45.6.

A lawsuit filed this week alleges Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and its parent company failed to protect a minor from a park employee who later pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting her.

Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi, who faces more than 100 drug-related charges, was in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.

Marty Nothstein, a former Lehigh County commissioner, had been accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend but admitted to lesser charges Monday. The plea deal came three years after he pleaded guilty to illegally entering the home of a different ex-girlfriend.

Commissioner Zachary Cole-Borghi, 35, is among roughly 40 people charged in a multistate drug network. On Tuesday, his defense attorney argued in Lehigh County Court that his case should have a preliminary hearing separate from the others.

Police Chief Charles Roca said he will welcome Sgt. Evan Weaver back to full duty on the city's police force.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman said the volume of errors makes him uncomfortable with BusPatrol cameras on school buses without changes to how the system operates.

Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan announced the decision Wednesday after an investigation by Allentown Police Department and Lehigh County Homicide Task Force.

Xiaomin Fei, 34, on Thursday entered the plea in the June 3 shooting deaths of Robert and Gretchen Ackerman, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta announced.

Santos Mota-Ramirez, 61, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, arson and causing a catastrophe, District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said.

Yunior Peralta-Quintana, 23, of Allentown, was convicted Friday by a Lehigh County Court jury after a four-day trial before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks.

Amazon driver Troy Johnson, 30, of Philadelphia, also was ordered to face court on a felony count of accidents involving death and misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person.

The Lehigh County Coroner's Office said the 27-year-old died Saturday night at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest — hours after being shot during a standoff with Pennsylvania State Police in a North Whitehall Township driveway.

Yaniel Fermin, 17, is charged with homicide, possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a minor in the death of Jeomy Miguel Soto, 19. Soto was shot Thursday in Allentown.

Three unidentified juveniles were charged with criminal mischief in connection with the damages, which cost the city about $47,000.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used county office space but hasn't paid rent in three years despite a 2022 memorandum of understanding, county officials said. Said Controller Mark Pinsley: "We're going to deport ICE."