Criminal Justice

Yunior Peralta-Quintana, 23, of Allentown, was convicted Friday by a Lehigh County Court jury after a four-day trial before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks.

Amazon driver Troy Johnson, 30, of Philadelphia, also was ordered to face court on a felony count of accidents involving death and misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person.

The Lehigh County Coroner's Office said the 27-year-old died Saturday night at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest — hours after being shot during a standoff with Pennsylvania State Police in a North Whitehall Township driveway.

Yaniel Fermin, 17, is charged with homicide, possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a minor in the death of Jeomy Miguel Soto, 19. Soto was shot Thursday in Allentown.

Three unidentified juveniles were charged with criminal mischief in connection with the damages, which cost the city about $47,000.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used county office space but hasn't paid rent in three years despite a 2022 memorandum of understanding, county officials said. Said Controller Mark Pinsley: "We're going to deport ICE."

A county judge heard arguments Friday for and against releasing the two pages from a sealed grand jury presentment that deals with the drug-charge allegations against Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi, of Bethlehem.

Lehigh County prosecutors tried to avoid the standard procedures for criminal court by bypassing defendants' preliminary hearings. Instead, Lehigh County Judge Thomas Caffrey ruled the cases should proceed Friday morning as scheduled.

Former Forks Township Police Chief Michael Friel announced his retirement in December. Township supervisors approved a separation agreement but refused to disclose it until a Right-to-Know request was filed.

Grelvis Estevez Cabrera, 29, received the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder in the killing of 25-year-old Angel Martinez-Velez in June 2024 in Allentown.

John Albert Garner, 25, is charged with homicide and aggravated assault, both first-degree felonies, in the death of Alexander Mason Price a week before his 30th birthday in July 2023.

Details about COVID's current impact on the jail is to be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting

Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo responded to allegations of misconduct by his department in the arrest of Easton Councilwoman Taiba Sultana last year. Scalzo played video of police body camera footage during an Easton City Council meeting Wednesday night.

A “non-specific threatening message” found inside Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem caused the school to implement lockdown procedures Wednesday, police said.

Christian Joel Gonzalez Santiago, 29, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree misdemeanor. All remaining charges against Gonzalez Santiago were withdrawn at a hearing before Lehigh County Judge Douglas G. Reichley.

Attorney General Michelle Henry’s office announced Monday they would provide an opportunity for those who purchased a ticket to a Philadelphia comic convention which never materialized to obtain a refund from the Easton company who organized the event.

A Northampton County judge set simple assault charges against Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana on a path to dismissal in a hearing Wednesday. District Attorney Stephen Baratta said her prosecution was influenced by politics.

Lehigh Valley motorists may want to keep their eyes peeled for a new look by Pennsylvania State Police. The metallic gray vehicles with "TROOPER" on the side are being phased out.

Authorities are searching for Allen Jahmell Grimes, 18, after Bethlehem's Emergency Response Team wasn’t successful in its search of his home within the 600 block of Cherokee Street on Wednesday evening.

Catasauqua Police Chief Douglas Kish retired Friday, a month after a state report identified a litany of issues with his department.

Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan announced Wednesday that a 22-year-old man has been charged in connection with a Tuesday night shooting in the city’s west end.

The shooting occurred Saturday night outside a family party. Authorities said the gunman was part of an uninvited group that was denied entry to the party. No arrests have been made, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney.