Corrections Officer, Others Charged In Prison Drug-Smuggling Scheme

Eight people, including a Chester County correctional officer, inmates and their friends, have been arrested in an operation to smuggle drugs into the county prison, according to prosecutors.

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office said the group concocted a scheme for the correctional officer to bring in heroin, prescription drugs and other contraband to inmates at the Chester County Prison.

Correctional Officer Douglas Keck, 45, would obtain the contraband from inmates’ friends outside of the detention facility, then bring the smuggled goods to the inmates, officials said. He was paid $100 per delivery.

“We expect members of the criminal justice system to keep drugs away from criminals, not act as an in-person drug dealer,” District Attorney Tom Hogan said in a statement.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150428_Corrections_officer__others_charged_in_prison_drug-smuggling_scheme.html#29ufP9sCum30fbyo.99

DA Announces Chester County’s Biggest Ever Drug Bust

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WEST CHESTER, PA — Law enforcement officials gathered at the Chester County District Attorney’s Office Wednesday to announce dozens ofarrests in what officials called the largest drug ring prosecution in the county’s history.

Forty-four people were arrested and 12 more are wanted on outstanding warrants in what authorities dubbed “Operation Telaraña,” a year-long multi-agency probe targeting a major cocaine trafficking network with ties to a dangerous Mexican drug cartel.

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan led a press conference Wednesday morning that included members of local police departments, state police, a regional drug enforcement task force, and federal agentsfrom the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Salvadore Lemus, 65, was arrested on May 1 after a lengthy investigation identified him as the leader of a major cocaine trafficking network with ties to a violent Mexican drug cartel, according to police. Authorities said his 23-year-old son, Francisco Lemus, acted as Lemus’ lieutenant. A nephew, Mario Hernandez Garcia, was also arrested.

Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20140528/photo-gallery-da-announces-countys-biggest-ever-drug-bust

Heroin Addict Admits To Chester County Bank Robbery

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WEST CHESTER, PA – A 23-year-old man addicted to heroin told a Common Pleas Court judge he wants to make a change in his life when the time comes for him to walk out of prison.

Instead of robbing banks to fund his addiction, as Michael Brown pleaded guilty to before Judge Anne Marie Wheatcraft on Tuesday, he would rather find a job that allows him to speak to people dealing with the same problem.

Brown, a high school dropout who had been addicted to heroin for three years, told the judge he would appreciate the chance to tell others just starting on the road to drug addiction about how he had made the same mistake, only to see his life ruined by having to feed his habit, court observers said.

Wheatcraft appeared impressed with Brown’s determination, and in a recommendation to the state Department of Corrections, suggested that he be allowed to serve his prison sentence at SCI Chester, which has an advanced drug rehabilitation program for inmates.

Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20140318/heroin-addict-admits-to-bank-robbery

Harrisburg Heat Player In Fair Condition At Paoli Hospital After West Chester Shooting

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What started as a very minor dispute Sunday morning left a Harrisburg Heat soccer player recovering multiple gunshot wounds in a Chester County hospital, according to police.

Jason Hotchkin, 35, was gradually recovering in the Paoli Memorial Hospital as of Tuesday after suffering at least three gunshot wounds following an altercation in the area of 50 North Church Street at about 2:15 a.m. Sunday.

Hotchkin played his first season with the Heat last year and was in tryouts to rejoin the team when he was shot during a trip to the West Chester area to attend a soccer event.

The retired Harrisburg City Islanders star was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and was listed as in critical but stable condition until Tuesday afternoon when his condition was upgraded, said Bridget Therriault, a hospital spokeswoman.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/08/harrisburg_heat_player_in_fair.html#incart_river_default

Harrisburg Heat Player Shot Multiple Times After Altercation In West Chester

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jason Hotchkin, who plays for the Harrisburg Heat, was shot multiple times and hospitalized after an altercation early Sunday morning in West Chester, Pa., according to police.

Hotchkin, 35, was admitted to the Paoli Memorial Hospital shortly after the shooting, which was reported at 2:14 a.m. in the 50 block of North Church Street, according to West Chester police.

Hotchkin was in critical condition upon his arrival but was listed as stable by a hospital spokeswoman as of 9 a.m. Monday.

A West Chester police press release states that Hotchkin was shot multiple times and sustained injuries to his leg, arms and back.  Police believe Hotchkin and another victim, 35-year-old Maffat E. Odvor, were out with two females when the shooting took place.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/08/harrisburg_soccer_star_shot_mu.html#incart_m-rpt-2

Chesco D.A.: Norco Murder Scene Was ‘Doorway Into Hell’

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WEST CHESTER — Two weeks after the grisly discovery of a body inside a burning North Coventry apartment, authorities announced an arrest in the murder of 17-year-old Kevin Allen.

Shakeem Carter, 20, of Norristown, was arraigned Wednesday morning after an investigation concluded he was responsible for the brutal stabbing death of the Norristown High School student inside his father’s home at the Hanover Garden Apartments, officials said.

Allen’s body was discovered on Feb. 12 after a neighbor dialed 911 to report a “terrible struggle,” according to Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, who announced Carter’s arrest at a Wednesday morning new conference.

Officers from the North Coventry Police Department were the first to enter the apartment, but they had to retreat when they discovered the apartment was on fire.  Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, but when they returned, they told police there was a body inside.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130228/NEWS01/130229413/chesco-d-a–norco-murder-scene-was-doorway-into-hell-(video)?nstrack=sid:387506|met:300|cat:0|order:2#full_story\

Nude Man Tasered At Exton Walmart

Only at Walmart 🙂

WEST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP, PA— Police were called to the scene of the Exton Walmart Wednesday evening after a man entered the store fully nude, according to police reports.

Police say Verdon Lamont Taylor, 32, of Downingtown, parked his vehicle outside the store and then stripped off all his clothing before he entered the store and approached the customer service desk. Taylor allegedly stole a pair of socks and put them on before walking deeper into the store, police said.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120217/NEWS03/120219694/1007/NEWS