Criminal Justice

Prosecutors presented data pulled from the cell phones of former state champion Pen Argyl wrestler Michael Racciato and defendant Christopher Ferrante, who stands accused of providing the fentanyl that led to Racciato's death in a Lower Nazareth Township parking lot.

Michael "Mikey" Racciato's father recounted the events leading up to his son's death in December 2020, including multiple overdoses, visits to rehab facilities and eventually discovering his son dead from a fentanyl overdose.

Northampton County's district attorney's office is touting $168,000 in drug money that law enforcement has confiscated.

The trial of Christopher Ferrante, charged in connection with the overdose death of Michael Racciato, began Monday. The case attracted scrutiny during the race for Northampton County District Attorney earlier this year.

Lawyers for Christopher Ferrante, charged with drug delivery resulting in death, told the court Monday he conducted at least two undercover drug buys for Allentown police.

The Salisbury Township Police Department is using humor on Facebook to foster connections and bridge a gap to reach people of all ages across the township and beyond. But there's a purpose to their punchlines, and the attention they've garnered seems to be working.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said during the holiday that there were "consequences coming" to violators, but Allentown police say there was just a single citation related to fireworks during the holiday.

An altercation between groups of people at a Taco Bell and Autozone in Allentown led to gunfire and one death. One man has been deemed not criminally responsible, and another has been charged with attempted homicide.

Police say a gunman in a bulletproof vest has opened fire on the streets of Philadelphia, killing five people and wounding two boys before he surrendered to responding officers. The shootings took place over several city blocks, and dozens of spent shell casings were found.

The notice was offered to affected individuals about a cybersecurity attack by a ransomware gang known as BlackCat and associated with Russia. The incident occurred in January and was later found in February.

Allentown City Council is expected to approve two bills Wednesday to accept funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency on behalf of the police department.

Kathryn Murray, a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations gave a keynote speech at Hotel Bethlehem on Friday about Human Trafficking.

John Albert Garner, 25, is charged with homicide and aggravated assault, both first-degree felonies, in the death of Alexander Mason Price a week before his 30th birthday in July 2023.

Details about COVID's current impact on the jail is to be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting

Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo responded to allegations of misconduct by his department in the arrest of Easton Councilwoman Taiba Sultana last year. Scalzo played video of police body camera footage during an Easton City Council meeting Wednesday night.

A “non-specific threatening message” found inside Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem caused the school to implement lockdown procedures Wednesday, police said.

Christian Joel Gonzalez Santiago, 29, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree misdemeanor. All remaining charges against Gonzalez Santiago were withdrawn at a hearing before Lehigh County Judge Douglas G. Reichley.

Attorney General Michelle Henry’s office announced Monday they would provide an opportunity for those who purchased a ticket to a Philadelphia comic convention which never materialized to obtain a refund from the Easton company who organized the event.

A Northampton County judge set simple assault charges against Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana on a path to dismissal in a hearing Wednesday. District Attorney Stephen Baratta said her prosecution was influenced by politics.

Lehigh Valley motorists may want to keep their eyes peeled for a new look by Pennsylvania State Police. The metallic gray vehicles with "TROOPER" on the side are being phased out.

Authorities are searching for Allen Jahmell Grimes, 18, after Bethlehem's Emergency Response Team wasn’t successful in its search of his home within the 600 block of Cherokee Street on Wednesday evening.

Catasauqua Police Chief Douglas Kish retired Friday, a month after a state report identified a litany of issues with his department.