POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

HARRASSMENT:
According to a police report, and on September 21st at approximately 9:35 a.m., two neighbors in New Beaver Borough got into a disturbance that turned into physical assault. New Castle State Police were dispatched to the disturbance between the neighbors and on scene it was found that a 31-year-old female was assaulted by the male neighbor and threaten by another male. Charges for harassment were filed on both arrestee’s out of Judge Jerry Cartwright’s office.

HOMICIDE:
On September 18th at approximately 9:11 p.m., Troopers from the PA State Police New Castle barracks were requested to investigate a stabbing and an officer involved shooting that occurred at a location on West Main Street in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County. The initial incident, a stabbing reported at 8:44 p.m. required a police response from several local police departments. Upon arrival, local police officers encountered the actor who was alleged to be responsible for stabbing several victims. The actor, armed with a cutting instrument, proceeded to assault and injure a local police officer with the cutting instrument. During the assault, another local police officer discharged his service weapon striking the actor. The actor, a 34-year-old male from New Castle, was confirmed deceased. This incident is actively being investigated by the PA State Police New Castle Criminal Investigation Unit.

BUBBLE BANDITS:
According to Ellwood City Police and video surveillence, a group of juveniles vandalized the water fountain feature in the community plaza sometime overnight between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The incident was reported to ECPD on Saturday at 8:55 p.m. and with a social media post showcasing the video surveillance, the police were able to locate the juveniles and issue citations. The perpetrators appeared to have emptied laundry detergent or a large amount of soap into the water feature causing significant bubbling that requires the fountain to be emptied and cleaned.

FENTANYL/HEROIN DISTRIBUTION SCHEME:
Dwayne Smallwood, 43, formerly of Butler and Philadelphia, pled guilty before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville. Judge Colville scheduled sentencing to occur on February 3, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. Smallwood is convicted of conspiring to distribute, and distributing, fentanyl and heroin in Butler, Pennsylvania, between 2017 and 2020. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $4,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant. The Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Butler County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force led the investigation leading to the convictions in this case.

COCAINE POSSESSION:
A resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws. The two-count Indictment, returned on July 14 and unsealed today, named Jamar Kenya Turner, age 46, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, on or about October 9, 2020, Turner possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. The Indictment further alleges that, on or about January 4, 2021, Turner unlawfully possessed with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000 or both. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

DUI:
Madeline Romeo, 24, of Ellwood City, is charged with driving under the influence after a traffic stop on September 12. According to a report, at approximately 1:55 a.m., Ellwood City police observed Romeo fail to make a complete stop at the intersection of Fifth Street and Lawrence Avenue and, after the police stop, failed a field sobriety test.

DUI:
Christina Baxter, 45, of New Castle, is charged with DUI and careless driving after a traffic stop in May 2021 in Union Township. According to a report, on May 25 at approximately 9:48 p.m., police conducted a traffic stop after observing Baxter fail to make a complete stop exiting a Dollar General parking lot and later failing to travel within its lane. Upon approach at the traffic stop it was observed two juvenile children seated in the back seat in booster seats. Baxter acknowledged she was driving erratically but appeared disoriented and incoherence while performing simple tasks in her vehicle. When police searched the vehicle, a hypodermic needle and container of suspected heroin was seized. Baxter was placed into custody for DUI and transported to a local hospital.