Monday, April 8, 2013
'Operation Walled-In' leads to the arrest of six people, including two from Pottstown and two from the Norristown area.
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman has announced the arrest six people stemming from a target-specific wiretap investigation titled "Operation Walled In." Earlier this year, an investigation began into 26-year-old Ryan Gavlick, of Pottstown, whom authorities describe as the leader of a sophisticated drug trafficking organization. The investigation documented Gavlick's use – under the alias "Paul Wall" – of more than 14 cell phones, which they claimed were used to elude law enforcement. Click here to read about Gavlick's prior criminal history Utilizing an updated wiretap law that was passed in December of 2012, investigators were able to secure a court order authorizing a target-specific wiretap of Ryan Gavlick on Feb. 28. …
Friday, April 5, 2013
Risa Ferman says it could reduce violence in Montco.
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, April 5
Delaware Valley politicians ban together to fight to get tougher gun laws. The district attorneys in the Greater Philadelphia area have put their heads together to find ways to restrict illegal weapons in the region. Risa Vetri Ferman, Montgomery County District Attorney, told Nesworks that "the legislation could also help reduce violence in [Montgomery County] areas." According to a report by WHYY, Ferman has "joined a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers to discuss new state legislation setting a mandatory minimum two-year sentence for illegally carrying a firearm in Philadelphia." To read the full report and all the bill entails, visit the Newsworks story here.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
No charges have been filed yet in the Monday afternoon crash that took the life of a 40-year-old woman while she was jogging in Limerick Township.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Tuesday, March 5
District Attorney Risa Ferman's office has begun an investigation into a fatal crash that took the life of a 40-year-old woman on Monday. Merinda Thompson was jogging when she was struck from behind by a green Ford Focus driven by an unidentified 18-year-old man. Visit Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch for full coverage.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
After meeting with family members of murder victim Ellen Robb, the state parole board is said to be reconsidering a decision that would have made the former U. Penn professor a free man next week.
- NEWS
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Wednesday, January 23
Update 11:05 a.m.: The state parole board has reportedly reversed its decision to parole Rafael Robb following yesterday's meeting with family members of Ellen Robb. A formal announcement is expected this afternoon. Earlier story below. Rafael Robb, the former University of Pennsylvania professor who bludgeoned his wife to death in their Upper Merion home in 2006, may yet remain behind bars. The Pa. Board of Probation and Parole had previously approved Robb's release for next week, after Robb served the minimum portion of a 5-10 year sentence. Robb received the sentence following a plea agreement that saw him plead guilty to a voluntary manslaughter charge. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that members of victim Ellen Robb's family met …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The "Aggressive Enforcement Unit" is a new partnership between police, county sheriff and detective departments, state troopers and the narcotics enforcement team.
Norristown Patch readers this past weekend reported seeing increased police presence and even noting the participation of Pennsylvania State Troopers and what appear to be undercover units in a number of recent police responses in Norristown. According to Norristown Police Chief Russell Bono, the show of force is all part of a new effort he has been working on with other county and state authorities. "[We] call it the 'Aggressive Enforcement Unit,'" said Chief Bono. Bono noted that the task force is made possible with "tremendous cooperation" from Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman, Montgomery County Sheriff Eileen Whalon Behr, the Montgomery County Detectives Unit, The Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET), Pennsylvania State …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
As a result of winning the national honor, an additional $25,000 will be donated to Mission Kids, courtesy of L'Oreal Paris.
L'Oreal Paris has announced via Twitter that Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman has been named the 2012 Women of Worth National Honoree for her work as co-founder of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center. Ferman was one of 10 honorees from across the country vying for the national honor, which came as a result of a voting process from November 5 through November 21. As a result of winning the national honor, an additional $25,000 will be donated to Mission Kids, courtesy of L'Oreal Paris. Patch congratulates DA Ferman on receiving such an honor! See Related: Risa Ferman Honored as 'Woman of Worth'
Monday, November 5, 2012
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman was honored as a ‘Woman of Worth’ by L’Oréal Paris for her work with Mission Kids, and could be the national honoree with your vote.
- NEWS
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Monday, November 5, 2012
Risa Vetri Ferman, Montgomery County District Attorney, has been honored as a ‘Woman of Worth’ by L’Oréal Paris for her work as the co-founder of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, according a recent press release. Mission Kids, Montgomery County’s first and only child advocacy center, is a local non-profit that provides support for victims of child abuse. DA Ferman is one of ten honorees from across the country that will be recognized for her dedication to philanthropy and passion for making a difference in her community. “I am deeply honored to be selected as a L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth. This generous award will help Mission Kids protect and support children who have been abused. Just as importantly, I hope this national award will …
Friday, August 10, 2012
Philadelphia Police Officer John Hoesle was arrested by Montgomery County authorities in connection with an elaborate scheme to defraud Comcast of more than $2.4 million.
According to a release issued by Philadelphia Police, on Thursday, Aug. 9, Philadelphia Police Officer John Hoesle was arrested by Montgomery County authorities and charged with theft, receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy and related charges in connection with an elaborate scheme by a "criminal organization" to defraud Comcast of more than $2.4 million. The 42 year-old Hoesle is a 15-year veteran of the police department who was assigned to the 15th District. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey is suspending Hoesle for thirty days with the intent to dismiss him. Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman announced the arrests of five "top members of an elaborate criminal organization" who were responsible for…
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Montgomery County District Attorney Ferman says ringleaders lived lavish lifestyles.
[This article was updated at 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7] Five people have been arrested and warrants issued for 17 others in an elaborate scheme to defraud Comcast of more than $2.4 million between April 2011 and April 2012, the Montgomery County District Attorney's office said Tuesday. The district attorney's office said Alston Buchanan, 28; Leighton Harrell, 26; Kendall Singleton, 26; and Richard Justin Spraggins, 29, all of Philadelphia; and Nicholas Caputo, 31, of Virginia Beach, Va., were "top members of an elaborate criminal organization" that led Comcast customers to make one-time payments to them in exchange for a one-time reduction in their Comcast service bills. "This is a corrupt organization involving a number of individuals …
Monday, July 16, 2012
HB 2552 proposes that new revenue generated by the Valley Forge Casino and Resort be distributed to local parks and heritage sites and non-profits.
On Monday, July 16, the Montgomery County Commissioners, along with state Representatives Marcy Toepel (R-147), Mike Vereb (R-150) and Todd Stephens (R-151), held a press conference to reveal new legislation that would redistribute casino revenue from the county’s share assessment. If House Bill 2552 is passed, the casino would give 2% of its gross revenue back to the community – 75% of that will be going to maintenance and refurbishment services of parks and heritage sites, while the final 25% would be split evenly between local nonprofits Laurel House and Mission Kids. "An estimated $1.2 million will be generated. $900,000 to the parks and heritage sites, and $150,000 each to Mission Kids and Laurel House," explained Toepel. Currently, …
caz collins
4:42 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
I agree with fake Bruce Castor, 5 pounds of weed or 50 it's still not major king pin status. I'd be willing to bet that almost everyone including you Kathy, know someone who sells pot. You know that son in college that sells it so he can smoke it or that guy down the block from you who sells after work, to supplement his income. Most people know or know of someone involved in the pot business, … more ›