Criminal Justice

Unless Francis Anonia and Lehigh County prosecutors can reach a plea deal in the coming weeks, Anonia's trial for allegedly recording an underage student without his consent will begin in September.

Alberto Jose Rios-Santiago, 26, of Deltona, Florida, had a preliminary hearing Friday before District Judge Rashid Santiago.

The two-day training and enforcement program hosted by Troop M Bethlehem combined classroom instruction workshops on DUI case law and roving DUI patrols.

Wilson borough solicitor and private attorney Stanley Margle III waived a preliminary hearing on drug possession charges Thursday, April 24.

Costas Alestas, 44, of Palmer Township, entered the plea before Northampton County Judge Samuel P. Murray. He admitted guilt to charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and invasion of privacy, according to the Northampton County District Attorney's Office.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport fired Chief Executive Officer Ju'Riese Colón, Tuesday. The move comes after the company faced scrutiny for employing former Allentown Vice Unit officer Jason Krasely, who has been charged with rape, theft, sex trafficking and other crimes.

A Northampton County judge on Wednesday sentenced former Hellertown police chief Robert Shupp to up to 23 months in prison, plus fines and restitution, for stealing from the borough.

LaTarsha Brown reported finding a noose Jan. 10 on her desk in the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development. She's charged with making false reports and tampering with or fabricating evidence.

Salisbury Township Police Sgt. Bryan Losagio was part of a speed timing detail on Wednesday on South Pike Avenue. The department has dubbed the enforcement the 'Pike Avenue 500' due to the severe speeding on the stretch of road connecting the township to Allentown.

Legislators, community members, and nonprofits came together in Allentown Thursday to discuss the need to raise awareness of sex trafficking and the support required by its victims.

The alleged scheme netted over $70,000.

An investigation has not revealed any sexual contact had occurred between Eric Gratz and the victim. Gratz has served as borough manager since August 2021.

Three people were shot and killed in a span of seven hours between Thursday night and early Friday in Allentown. The mayor called gun violence "a toxin" in the city and pushed legislators to help get guns off the street.

Thursday's March For Our Lives rally marks its fifth anniversary since its inception after a 2018 mass shooting at a Florida high school. Hundreds are expected at Thursday's rally in Harrisburg, which coincides with rallies this week in Florida, Michigan, California and Texas.

A former pediatrician at Lehigh Valley Health Network's LVPG Pediatrics-Whitehall has been charged after sexual messages with a female minor in Washington Township, Warren County New Jersey

A six-month investigation found the state’s “competency” review system is so broken it often extends incarceration, which can exacerbate mental health issues.

Joseph Zanette and Justin Taylor, both of Pen Argyl, each face several charges in connection with the weekend blasts. Authorities said they seized several fireworks during searches of the men's residences.

Another social-media fueled challenge has spurred a rise in the theft of Kia and Hyundai vehicles in Pennsylvania, but has the trend caught on in the Lehigh Valley?

Reporting an increase in violent incidents in the state's prisons in 2022, the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association has suggested that staffing needs to increase, and policies need to be reviewed to help make the prisons safer.

At a press conference Thursday, DA candidate Stephen Baratta criticized incumbent district attorney Terry Houck over three cases from his tenure. Houck hit back in response.

Court officials from Northampton County first asked for help getting more staff over a year ago. Since November, the center netted no new full-time hires.

The "Roadblocks to Reentry" event at Northampton Community College brought officials, social workers and students together to experiences the challenge involved with reentering society after incarceration