Internet Security and Your Children

June 16th, 2012

HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Lancaster County man accused of sending nude and sexually explicit webcam videos to what he believed was a 14-year old girl.

Kelly identified the defendant as Jeffrey Lee Mentzer, 46, of 146 East Franklin St., New Holland.

According to the criminal complaint, Mentzer used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit, who was using the online profile of a 14-year old girl.

Kelly said that during their initial online chat, Mentzer allegedly asked the girl to send a nude photo herself, commenting, “when I was with AOL I had a lot of girls your age send me nude pics.”  Mentzer also allegedly sent a digital photograph of himself and later transmitted a webcam video that showed him engaging in a sex act in front of his computer.

During later online chats Mentzer allegedly sent a second sexually explicit webcam video, repeated his request for nude photos of the “girl” and discussed meeting her for sex.

“Internet predators will often send sexual materials during their first online contact with children,” Kelly said. “It is essential for parents to regularly discuss online safety issues with their teens and to stress the importance of immediately reporting any inappropriate contact.”

Mentzer is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene and other sexual materials and performances) and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Kelly said that Mentzer was located in Vendergrift, Westmoreland County, on June 8, 2012, by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the Vandergrift Police Department.

Mentzer was initially held in Westmoreland County on a parole detainer, awaiting county extradition and transportation back to Lancaster County to face these criminal charges. He is currently being held in the Lancaster County Prison awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 28th, at 3:15 p.m., before New Holland Magisterial District Judge Rodney H. Hartman.

The case will be prosecuted in Lancaster County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.

Attorney General Kelly thanked the police departments from New Holland, Lancaster County, and Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Internet Safety

Kelly explained that the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has made 305 arrests involving individuals from across Pennsylvania and numerous other states – conducting proactive investigations and also assisting local law enforcement with cases involving the attempted sexual exploitation of children.

Kelly encouraged parents to stress the importance of not sharing personal information with adults – either online or in person – including full names, ages, addresses, phone numbers and school information, and added that children should always be especially cautious about strangers who approach them online.

Additionally, Kelly urged parents to regularly discuss Internet safety and security issues with their children, including the importance of telling a trusted adult if someone engages in inappropriate activity, such as:

  • Sexual discussions.
  • Sending or requesting nude photos or explicit videos.
  • Sharing links to pornography.
  • Trying to arrange face-to-face meetings.

Incidents involving child predators can be reported to the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit by using the “Report a Predator” link, located on the front page of the Attorney General’s website, at www.attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling the toll-free Child Predator Hotline at 800-385-1044.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

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Operation Texas Twins

June 15th, 2012

Attorney General Kelly and PSP announce arrests in “Operation Texas Twins;” $100,000 Texas to northwestern PA marijuana trafficking network

HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police have filed criminal charges against nine individuals linked to an organization allegedly responsible for shipping large quantities of marijuana from Texas to northwestern Pennsylvania.

Attorney General Linda Kelly said the grand jury investigation, known as “Operation Texas Twins,” identified two brothers – Marcelino Rodriguez, of Eddy, Texas and Miguel Rodriguez, of Corpus Christi – accused of coordinating the transportation and distribution of as much as 20 pounds of marijuana per month, over a two year period of time.

According to the grand jury, Miguel Rodriguez operated from Texas, communicating with his brother Marcelino and other associates by telephone in order to arrange the shipment of drugs to Pennsylvania and the transfer of money back to Texas.

Kelly said the Rodriguez brothers were allegedly assisted by Robert Karl Conaway, who is accused of assisting in the distribution of marijuana in and around Crawford County.

“This was a coordinated effort to move significant quantities of drugs into communities across northwestern Pennsylvania which continued even after key figures were arrested and jailed,” Kelly said.

Kelly noted that Marcelino Rodriguez and Robert Conaway were arrested in Crawford County in August 2010, on unrelated warrants, but the two allegedly attempted to continue operating their drug organization from inside the prison.

The grand jury found that Rodriguez and Conaway made numerous telephone calls from inside the prison, which were recorded for monitoring by law enforcement.

Kelly said that agents from the Attorney General’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police used information from those calls, along with surveillance, confidential informants, the review of financial records from wire transfer services and other investigative techniques to identify other associates who allegedly assisted in the operation of this drug organization.

Adam Wood, of Venango, is accused of assisting in the distribution of marijuana, including the retrieval of drugs and cash from a vehicle that had been left in the parking lot of a motel in Meadville when Conaway and Rodriguez were arrested in 2010.

Kelly said that in phone calls recorded at the Crawford County Prison, Conaway, Rodriguez and Wood allegedly discussed the status of drug sales, including the fact that Wood had six pounds of marijuana remaining and that Miguel Rodriguez was still owed $4,000.  They also allegedly reviewed the correct prices that should be charged for different quantities of the drug.

According to the grand jury, Elizabeth Bevilheimer, of Saegertown – the girlfriend of Adam Wood – assisted in the recovery of the car that Conaway and Rodriguez were driving when they were arrested.  Bevilheimer was also allegedly involved in at least eight wire transfers of money to Texas, totaling more than $15,000, and was overheard in recorded prison phone calls complaining that she was not getting enough money for the work that she was performing.

Kelly said that Pamela Barrientos, of Eddy, Texas, allegedly acted as a distributor of funds for the organization – receiving thousands of dollars in wire transfers and then communicating by phone with Marcelino Rodriguez about how much money different participants should be making from the drug transactions.  Calls between Rodriguez and other parties also included instructions to “send all the Pennsylvania money to Pamela.”

According to the criminal charges, Laura Rodriguez, of Chilton, Texas – sister of Marcelino and Miguel – assisted in the transfer of drug funds.  She was heard on intercepted prison telephone calls with Marcelino Rodriguez discussing the sale price of marijuana being sold in Pennsylvania, New York and Georgia.

The grand jury found that Jeramie Ebbert, of Meadville, served as the recipient of marijuana shipments from Texas and assisted with the sale of drugs to street-level buyers.

Kelly said that Silas Mark Deets, of Venango, was allegedly paid to receive shipments of marijuana from Texas which were arranged by Conaway.  One of those deliveries to Deets, containing approximately 4.5 kilos of marijuana, was intercepted by U.S. Postal Inspectors. Deets was allegedly paid with cash and drugs to pick up the packages.

“This was a significant organization on many levels,” Kelly said,” involving cross-country shipment of large quantities of high-grade marijuana, the movement of more than $100,000 in drug payments and the long-distance coordination of numerous drug deals over many years.”

Kelly noted that in conjunction with today’s filing of charges in Pennsylvania, authorities in Texas are executing search and arrest warrants as part of a continuing investigation to identify the original sources for the marijuana involved in this case.

The criminal charges were filed today before Saegertown, Crawford County, Magisterial District Judge Lincoln S. Zilhaver.

The defendants will be prosecuted in Crawford County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Douglas J. Wright of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section.

Kelly thanked the Pennsylvania State Police, Crawford County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Northwest Drug Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

A full list of the defendants and the charges filed against them is included below:

Marcelino Rodriguez, 29, Eddy, Texas, is charged with two counts of participating in a corrupt organization, both first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Miguel Rodriguez, 29, Corpus Christi, Texas, is charged with two counts of participating in a corrupt organization, both first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Robert Karl Conaway, 29, address unknown, is charged with two counts of participating in a corrupt organization, both first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 fines; three counts of delivery of a controlled substance, all felonies which are each punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; two counts of possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors each punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Adam Wood, 25, 20412 Main St., Venango, is charged with two counts of participating in a corrupt organization, both first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 fines; one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Elizabeth Ann Bevilheimer, 25, Saegertown, is charged with one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Pamela Barrientos, 25, Eddy, Texas, is charged with one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Laura Rodriguez, 30, Chilton, Texas, is charged with one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Jeramie John Ebbert, 25, 1108 South Main St., Meadville, is charged with one count of delivery of marijuana, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Silas Mark Deets, 60, 21658 Cussewago Road, Venango, is charged with one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

# # #

Editors’ Note:
Click here to view the grand jury presentment for Operation Texas Twins.

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Watch For Child Predators

June 8th, 2012

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Northumberland County man accused of sending sexually explicit text messages and nude photos to a young teenage girl.

Kelly identified the defendant as Edward J. Jackson Jr., age 39, of 855 Montour St., Milton.

According to the criminal complaint, Jackson engaged in a series of inappropriate and sexually explicit text message conversations with a girl from Union County, allegedly starting when she was 15-years old.

Kelly said that Jackson allegedly used cell phone messages and Facebook to communicate with the girl – reportedly developing a “code” to conceal their chats and verify that he was actually sending messages to the girl, and not a parent or friend.

According to the criminal charges, the victim first encountered Jackson when he was the DJ at a school dance, and Jackson was later hired to perform at family birthday parties. Initial flirtatious messages allegedly escalated to include requests that the girl meet Jackson for sex, along with the transmission of nude photos.

Kelly said the victim began to avoid communication with Jackson following the receipt of sexual messages, but he allegedly continued to contact her on a regular basis, sending messages early in the morning or late at night on an almost daily basis. At one point, Jackson cautioned the girl about telling anyone about their communications, allegedly sending a text message stating, “if anyone finds out about this, you’ll regret it.”

According to the complaint, Jackson visited the victim’s home when she was alone, attempting to grab and kiss her.  He also allegedly posted a message on the victim’s Facebook page about giving her an early birthday present, which came immediately after a text message exchange about engaging in sexual activity.

The victim’s parents contacted the Mifflinburg Police Department on May 9th, 2012, after discovering an inappropriate message that Jackson had allegedly sent to their daughter.  On May 14th, detectives from the police department contacted the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit and requested assistance.  A child predator investigation was immediately initiated following the referral from Mifflinburg Police.

Jackson was arrested at his home today by agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, assisted by Pennsylvania State Police from the Milton Barracks.

A search warrant was also executed at Jackson’s home, resulting in the seizure of four computers and numerous data storage devices, which will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.

Jackson is charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, both third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Jackson was preliminarily arraigned before Lewisburg, Union County Magisterial District Judge Leo S. Armbruster, who set bail at $10,000 straight. Jackson is also prohibited from having any direct or third-party contact with the victim.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 19th, at 11:30 a.m., before Mifflinburg Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey L. Mensch.

The case will be prosecuted in Union County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.

Attorney General Kelly thanked the Mifflinburg Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police from the Milton Barracks and the Milton Area School District administration for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Kelly noted that this remains an ongoing investigation and encouraged anyone with information related to this case, or other incidents involving child predators, to contact the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit by using the “Report a Predator” link, located on the front page of the Attorney General’s website, at www.attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling the toll-free Child Predator Hotline at 800-385-1044.

Internet Safety

Kelly explained that the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has made 304 arrests involving individuals from across Pennsylvania and numerous other states – conducting proactive investigations and also assisting local law enforcement with cases involving the attempted sexual exploitation of children.

Kelly encouraged parents to stress the importance of not sharing personal information with adults – either online or in person – including full names, ages, addresses, phone numbers and school information, and added that children should always be especially cautious about strangers who approach them online.

Additionally, Kelly urged parents to regularly discuss Internet safety and security issues with their children, including the importance of telling a trusted adult if someone engages in inappropriate activity, such as:

  • Sexual discussions.
  • Sending or requesting nude photos or explicit videos.
  • Sharing links to pornography.
  • Trying to arrange face-to-face meetings.
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Local Student Writers

June 8th, 2012

Four high school student journalists will be honored when supporters of the award-winning, nonprofit education newspaper Philadelphia Public School Notebook gather for their annual end-of-school-year celebration “Turning the Page for Change.” Community leaders, District officials, educators, education advocates, parents, students and other members of the community will join the Notebook for an evening of food, entertainment by student musicians and caricaturists, and recognition of school newspaper staff.

This year, 11 schools entered their student news publications in the Notebook’s competition. The winners will win a cash prize and an E-tablet, courtesy of our student journalism award partners, AL DIA News and IKEA South Philadelphia. One of our winners is Northeast’s Trevor Wuest for outstanding multimedia piece: “What are the Benefits of Karate?”, Rush Reporting, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush.

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Steve Christie Real Estate

June 6th, 2012

Find a home in the Greater Philadelphia Region or sell your house in the Delaware Valley.

Steve Christie began his Real Estate career in 1988. Steven’s commitment to service is unsurpassed. His extensive experience includes residential, land development, new home marketing and sales, relocation, investment and historical properties. Steven is a gifted communicator, negotiator and problem solver proven with over 1,000 homes sold and settled. He has developed a well rounded team of Real Estate Professionals; the team is equipped with the latest technology and systems to enhance the home buying or selling experience resulting in trouble-free transactions. (Whether you’re purchasing your first home, moving up, looking for a vacation property, or need an investment or land deal, call Steven first. His service and experience will prove invaluable to you!)

Featured Homes

New Home Communities

Quick Deliveries

FREE Home Analysis

The Philadelphia Region

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Take a Carriage Ride in Old City Philadelphia

June 5th, 2012

Philadelphia Carriage Company and Independence Carriage Company are located in Center City Philadelphia.

Come Explore Philadelphia’s Oldest Neighborhoods
Our experienced tour guides offer insightful narration through Independence National Park, where our founding fathers started our nation’s government, then into Society Hill, a beautiful colonial neighborhood finally venturing into Olde City, where you will find Benjamin Franklin’s grave, and the Betsy Ross House.

Types Of Tours

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Statewide Senior Scam

May 22nd, 2012

Arrests in “Operation False Comfort;” Four charged in statewide senior financial fraud scheme

HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section and Elder Abuse Unit have filed criminal charges against four Philadelphia area men accused of operating an elaborate financial fraud scheme targeting hundreds of senior citizens across Pennsylvania.

Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendants as Bruce Howard Cherry, 52, of Philadelphia; Ross M. Rabelow, 52, of Southampton, Bucks County; Thomas J. Muldoon, 57, of Broomall, Delaware County; and Robert P. Lerner, 56, of Philadelphia.

Kelly said the four defendants are accused of conspiring to operate a financial fraud scheme specifically aimed at elderly victims who were deceived into spending thousands of dollars for “home care” or “home security” services that would supposedly assist seniors with their future care.

“This was a disturbing and despicable scheme designed to extract as much money as possible from unwitting seniors who believed they were protecting themselves against costly future home-care expenses,” Kelly said. “These con artists left a string of more than 200 victims, stretching from Philadelphia to Erie, and stole more than $700,000 through the sale of contracts for bogus home care services or stolen insurance premiums.”

Kelly said that investigators have identified at least 218 victims located in 41 counties. Many were widowed; living alone and without any nearby family members and the average age of the victims is estimated at 83 years old.

The investigation, known as “Operation False Comfort,” involved the presentation of extensive evidence and testimony to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges that were announced today.

According to the grand jury, the scheme revolved around the sale of service contracts for businesses that supposedly provided specialty services for seniors:

American Comfort Home Care Services – owned by Ross Rabelow, with Bruce Cherry serving as the primary salesman – which claimed to provide non-medical home care services for the elderly.
Global Services for the Home – supposedly operated by Thomas Muldoon – which claimed to provide specialty services for seniors, including home safety equipment and/or serving as a “health advocate” to assist older residents in dealing with insurance companies.
Bruce Cherry also identified himself as the proprietor of “Cherry Senior Solutions,” a business that supposedly provided expert counseling regarding long term health care and other insurance needs.

“In reality, these businesses were little more than names on pieces of paper, serving only as a mechanism to repeatedly approach seniors with sales presentations,” Kelly said. “Victims were often encouraged to purchase multiple overlapping contracts or to pay for duplicate ‘services’ included in this scheme, and in some cases were advised to cancel legitimate insurance policies for long-term health care in favor of the bogus programs being pushed by the defendants.”

Often working as a team, Cherry, Rabelow and Muldoon would allegedly approach victims unannounced, at their homes.

“Holding themselves out as experts in providing assistance to the elderly, the defendants aggressively promoted contracts for Rabelow’s business, ‘American Comfort,’ which supposedly provided clients with non-medical in-home services like housekeeping, cooking, shopping, assistance while dressing and other similar services,” Kelly said.

According to the grand jury, victims were typically encouraged to purchase 1000 hours of services, to be used within a one-year period of time, for a cost of $1590.

“One of the key points that was stressed during these sales calls was that seniors could purchases these services for an extremely low hourly price – approximately $1.59 per hour – which was far below what other in-home services would cost,” Kelly said. “Victims were often approached on a repeated basis and persuaded to buy a confusing array of multiple or overlapping contracts, often with no clear way to determine how much service they were supposed to receive, and regardless of their need or their ability to use all of these so-called services.”

Kelly said that seniors who did purchase contracts for American Comfort were further victimized if they ever attempted to use any of the services they had purchased.

“Despite contracts that clearly stated the services would be provided ‘upon demand’ and ‘without condition’, victims’ requests for assistance were often ignored, delayed, discouraged or minimized in a concerted effort to avoid providing any service,” Kelly said. “Only when faced with the most persistent seniors were any services provided, and the grand jury found no evidence that American Comfort ever provided any customer with all of the hours of service they had paid for.”

The grand jury also determined that no plans were put in place by American Comfort and no resources were set aside to pay for the ever-increasing hours of service the company was supposed to provide to seniors.

“According to the grand jury, approximately 70% of all the checks written on the American Comfort account were payments made to Rabelow, Cherry and other salesmen,” Kelly said. “Records indicate that only about 3% of the funds the company received from its victims were used to provide any services.”

“Not satisfied with selling worthless American Comfort contracts to unsuspecting seniors, the defendants also pushed victims to purchase additional services from Muldoon’s company, Global Service for the Home,” Kelly said. “Under the guise that Muldoon was a ‘home safety specialist,’ victims were often charged thousands of dollars for cursory inspections or installation of inexpensive off-the-shelf items like smoke detectors, which the victims could have purchased themselves at a fraction of the cost.”

According to the grand jury, Muldoon was introduced to many of the victims by Cherry, after they had already been approached by Cherry about purchasing American Comfort contracts. Working as a team, Muldoon and Cherry allegedly made repeated visits to victims’ homes, encouraging them to purchase additional services, even though most victims received little or nothing in return.

Kelly explained that in one of the worst cases identified to-date, a 79-year old retired school teacher from Central Pennsylvania, who was widowed and living alone, was approached nearly 40 times over a two-year period between January 2009 and April 2011.

“Over that two year period, the defendants allegedly stole more than $57,000 from this woman, who believed that she was taking steps to protect her health and safety,” Kelly said.

According to the grand jury, the victim was convinced to purchase six different contracts with American Comfort, totaling $11,660; two contracts with Global Services, at a cost of $3,554; along with 16 different payments totaling $41,921 to Thomas Muldoon – supposedly for services ranging from “health advocate” to “security services.”

Kelly said that in another example, a 90-year old victim preparing for hip replacement surgery tried to arrange for the American Comfort home care services she had purchased. Repeated calls and phone messages before and after the surgery were ignored, forcing the woman to depend on friends – all in their 70’s, 80’s or 90’s – for assistance, even though the victim had purchased two different contracts promising her a total of 1,600 hours of service.

According to the grand jury, Cherry, Muldoon and Rabelow visited the victim’s home several days after the surgery and told her that according to the “fine print” on her contract the agreement was void because her friends provided care for her.

In another situation, involving an 82-year old woman from southeastern Pennsylvania, repeated calls from concerned family members who were trying to arrange for care were initially ignored. Later, Rabelow allegedly made an appointment to “evaluate” the victim, even though the American Comfort contract called for services to be provided upon request, with no contingencies.

Eventually, in the face of constant pressure from family members, Rabelow arranged for some care. Unbeknownst to the victim or her family, the caregiver was hired by Rabelow via an advertisement placed on Craigslist, following a brief interview conducted at a Dunkin’ Donuts. No background check or detailed review of qualifications was ever conducted and the caregiver was expressly instructed to not provide more than 18 hours of service every two weeks.

Rabelow allegedly dismissed efforts to obtain additional services, despite continued pleas from family members and the recommendation of the caregiver who had been hired, who all agreed that the victim needed more care.

“Further compounding the harm done to these victims, Cherry, Muldoon and Robert Lerner allegedly convinced some seniors to write checks, payable directly to them or to Global Services, which were supposed to be forwarded to insurance companies for legitimate long-term health care policies,” Kelly said. “Instead of paying those premiums, the defendants allegedly stole the money – giving victims the false belief that they had coverage or causing legitimate insurance policies to lapse because of non-payment.”

According to the criminal complaint, Cherry, Muldoon and Lerner also stole blank checks from the home at of least one victim from suburban Philadelphia. Nine of those checks were later forged and cashed, with the payments going directly to those three men.

Kelly noted that some of the victims were retired school teachers who were told by Cherry that American Comfort was endorsed by the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), a statewide organization of education professionals. In reality, PSEA had not endorsed American Comfort and had no knowledge of the deceptive claims being made by Cherry and others during their sales calls.

The grand jury investigation has identified at least 218 victims. While most of the activity appears to be concentrated in southeastern and south central Pennsylvania, victims are located in 41 counties, including Adams (1), Allegheny (7), Beaver (1), Berks (15), Blair (1), Bradford (3), Bucks (10), Butler (5), Centre (1), Chester (8), Columbia (5), Crawford (1), Cumberland (5), Dauphin (2), Delaware (12), Erie (2), Fayette (10), Franklin (3), Greene (2), Indiana (2), Juniata (1), Lancaster (16), Lawrence (3), Lebanon (5), Lehigh (24), Luzerne (1), Lycoming (6), Mercer (4), Mifflin (4), Montgomery (15), Northampton (10), Northumberland (3), Perry (1), Snyder (4), Somerset (5), Union (1), Venango (1), Warren (1), Washington (2), Westmoreland (3) and York (7).

Victims have also been identified in three other states: New York (8), New Jersey (2) and Maryland (1).

Kelly emphasized that this remains an ongoing investigation. Individuals who believe they were victimized by this scheme or others with information related to the case are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section, Norristown Office, at 610-631-5164.

Bruce Howard Cherry, 52, 10166 Dedaker Drive, Philadelphia, is charged with one count of participating in a corrupt organization and 218 counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, all first-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 fines.

Additionally, Cherry is charged with 218 counts of theft by deception, 218 counts of insurance fraud, 218 counts of deceptive business practices, eight counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and one count of criminal conspiracy, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Ross M. Rabelow, 52, 549 Jason Drive, Southampton, Bucks County is charged with one count of participating in a corrupt organization and 218 counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, all first-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 fines.

Additionally, Rabelow is charged with 218 counts of theft by deception, 218 counts of insurance fraud, 218 counts of deceptive business practices, eight counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and one count of criminal conspiracy, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Thomas J. Muldoon, 57, 46 James Road, Broomall, Delaware County is charged with one count of participating in a corrupt organization and 218 counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, all first-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 fines.

Additionally, Muldoon is charged with 218 counts of theft by deception, 218 counts of insurance fraud, 218 counts of deceptive business practices, eight counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and one count of criminal conspiracy, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Robert P. Lerner, 56, 920 Emerson St., Philadelphia is charged with three counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, all first-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 fines.

Additionally, Lerner is charged with three counts of theft by deception, three counts of insurance fraud, two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of forgery and one count of theft by receiving stolen property, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Criminal charges were filed on Monday, May 21st, before Hatboro, Montgomery County, Magisterial District Judge Paul N. Leo.

The defendant will be prosecuted in Montgomery County by Senior Deputy Attorney General M. Eric Schoenberg of the Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section and Elder Abuse Unit.

Attorney General Kelly thanked the Pennsylvania Insurance Department for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

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Bucks County Fun Run

May 15th, 2012

Jog ‘n Hog to Challenge the Stomachs of Philadelphia-Area Runners on July 15, 2012

YARDLEY, PA – Run, eat, run. That is the simple premise behind the inaugural Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream Jog n’ Hog, a fun and slightly crazy event that will challenge participants’ bodies, minds… and stomachs.

Here is how it works: runners jog 2 miles on Shady Brook Farm in Bucks County, stop and eat a QUART of Uncle Dave’s ice cream and then run two miles back to the starting line on expanded stomachs.

The Jog ‘n Hog will be held on Sunday, July 15 (National Ice Cream Day) at 8:30 AM. It is open to everyone age 13 and up. Children under age 13 can run the Junior Hogger, which consists of dashing 100 yards, eating a 3-ounce cup of Uncle Dave’s ice cream and dashing back 100 yards. The Junior Hogger starts at 10 AM. All participants receive a race t-shirt.

Registration for the Jog ‘n Hog is now open at www.jognhog.com. Jog ‘n Hog is a proud supporter of the Bucks County Housing Group’s Penndel Food Pantry. All racers are asked to bring a non-perishable food item with them on race day.

Jog ‘n Hog is a national race series that was founded in 2011 by brothers and Bucks County residents Brian and Andrew Smith. Each race features food that is unique to a particular area of the country.

For more information about Jog ‘n Hog visit www.jognhog.com or “like” Jog ‘n Hog on Facebook, www.facebook.com/jognhog.

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Summer Job Seekers Beware

May 13th, 2012

HARRISBURG, PA – Attorney General Linda Kelly today warned high school and college students, along with adults searching for temporary, to be on the lookout for scammers, who target young people looking for seasonal employment.

“If a summer job seems too good to be true, it usually is,” Kelly said. “Ads or online posting offer easy money for little to no work should always raise a ‘red flag’ for job seekers.”

Kelly said that some of these employment scams advertise the ability to work from home rather than an office, typically using Internet postings or Craigslist ads to offer high pay for part-time employment, including work as personal assistants, ‘mystery shoppers,’ check processors or models. Other questionable offers may be circulated using handmade signs posted throughout communities.

“Falling for one of these bogus offers can trigger a variety of problems – leaving victims unemployed, facing financial losses and possibly becoming the target of identity thieves,” Kelly said.

Kelly noted that the exact details of job scams can change, but most share common themes:

* “Easy money” for a small amount of work.
* The need to respond quickly.
* Difficulty meeting prospective employers face-to-face.
* Most importantly, at some point during these scams, victims may be asked to wire-transfer money to another person.

Kelly urged consumers to avoid offers that ask for upfront application fees, the need to cash checks or wire-transfer funds.

“As with many other scams, these offers revolve around elaborate stories that are designed to convince consumers to deposit counterfeit checks and then wire-transfer money to scam artists, who are typically located outside the United States,” Kelly explained. “Victims discover they have been scammed when their banks notify them that the checks they deposited are worthless, which is often days or weeks after they have electronically transferred money to the con artists.”

Kelly noted that other job-related scams are crafted to gather detailed personal information about the “applicants,” who may be targeted later for identity theft.

“In these types of scams, often involving ads for international jobs, consumers may be asked to submit a copy of their credit report to assist the person reviewing their application,” Kelly said. “It is important for consumers to understand that while legitimate employers do conduct background checks and may review your credit information as part of the application process, they will not ask the applicant to personally retrieve and send their own credit report.”

Kelly said other job related scams can include offers for modeling jobs or other similar work.

“In the case of a modeling scam, victims might get a check as advance payment for their ‘photo session,’ but are asked to transfer some of that money to a photographer, a studio or a booking agent in order to secure the job,” Kelly said. “Con artists are hoping that the attraction of work as a model, along with a paid trip to New York or another exciting location, will cause consumers to quickly send money before verifying that the offer is legitimate.”

Additional warning signs of scam ads include:

Poor grammar or misspellings in ads or email messages.
The use of “generic” email addresses, like Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail, rather than a specific business email address.
A lack of details about the actual job.
Stories that change frequently.

Consumers with questions or concerns about possible scams, or other consumer problems, can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555.

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Philadelphia High School Sports

May 8th, 2012

My name is Brianna O’Donnell, I coach the Franklin Towne Charter Girls Soccer team. Our team competes in the A Division for the Public League. I wanted to write the your office about an upcoming game between my soccer team and Central High School. Currently, Central is in first place. They have not lost a game in over 7 years. I have coached at Franklin Towne for the past 3 seasons, and every year our games against Central are competitive. This year I have a very talented group of sophomores, many from the neighborhoods your papers serves. I wanted to see if someone from your office would consider covering our last regular season game or the play off run we hope to make. I know your office does a great job of covering local stories, and being familiar with the match between Franklin Towne and Central I believe it would be an interesting story. Both teams have a athletic group of girls and model what is best about Philadelphia high school sports.

We play Central home, at American Legion Field, Torresdale and Devereaux Aves., in Northeast Philadelphia. The game is scheduled for May 16th at 3 PM.

Please feel free to contact me if you need further information.

The girls Public League Playoffs are scheduled for May 21st, 23rd, and 25th.

Thanks again for all the hard work your staff commits to high school athletics.

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