Criminal Justice

Council on Wednesday introduced a bill to hire a Philadelphia law firm to analyze Allentown's nondiscrimination and personnel policies and end a long-running probe.

Council announced federal investigators’ involvement Wednesday, two days after dozens protested outside City Hall, demanding the FBI to take over the probe into what many have called a hate crime.

The leader of the U.S. Center for SafeSport wrote in an email that the revelation of former Allentown Police investigator Jason Krasley's arrest on rape charges was “just sickening,” while also saying there was no reason to believe he’d committed any wrongdoing while working for the center.

A 62-year-old woman has been arrested in a Northampton County animal cruelty case, state police announced Wednesday.

A Northampton County Judge sentenced William Strunk Tuesday to 20-40 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to third-degree murder.

Court documents recently unsealed by Lehigh County officials shine new light on rape and prostitution-related charges filed last week against a current and former Allentown cop.

Joshua Gonzalez, 40, of South Whitehall Township, faces 70 to 140 years in prison, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.

About 50 people rallied Monday outside Allentown City Hall, calling for federal intervention after a Black employee found a noose on her desk last week.

Authorities are investigating after the body of a 39-year-old New Jersey resident was found in a dumpster behind the Santander Bank on Saturday.

Joshua D. Moser was found dead in his Lehigh County Jail cell on Saturday, Jan. 11. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, but Lehigh County Coroner and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office believe it to be a suicide.

People in Pennsylvania who buy or carry fentanyl testing strips will no longer face potential criminal charges for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Allentown police say four people were shot Sunday night in the 1100 block of East Clair Street — site of the nonprofit East Side Youth Center. On Tuesday, folks played pickleball inside with the doors locked.

Gavin P. Holihan will join the Lehigh County District Attorney's office as First Assistant DA this month.

The Pennsylvania State Police investigated hundreds of crashes over the Christmas holiday weekend, with a rise in crashes, fatal crashes and the number of people killed. One fatality occurred during an alcohol-related crash in Lower Macungie Township.

Officers found one victim at the scene Sunday night. As they were investigating, three more victims showed up at the hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds.

Police said they have yet to locate a murder weapon. But they indicated the arrest of Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, in the Poconos early Friday was a breakthrough. “What I can tell you is we have an individual in custody who committed these horrible crimes and I do believe our community is safe,” Police Chief James Fry said.

The child died Tuesday after he was shot in the basement of an Allentown home. Authorities said his 10-year-old brother accidentally fired a handgun the boys found.

The victim in a Tuesday night shooting incident in Allentown was an 11-year-old child shot by his 10-year-old brother, police and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office said.

Pennsylvania State Police have arrested and charged a Glenside, Montgomery County, man with two second-degree felonies, other charges.

A three-car crash in Lower Macungie almost exactly a year ago has now resulted in several charges including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.

Bethlehem Police promised more than $1M of the money, for body-cams and retention bonuses. Some of the money will go to justice initiatives and safety programs.

Games for Gunz, a new gun buyback program in Allentown is looking to specifically target teen gun violence by offering video game consoles in return for firearms.