POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILD:
Adam Mitchell, 33, of Canton, Ohio, is facing multiple charges, including Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Child and Indecent Assault of Person Younger than 13 Years of Age after an incident in February. According to the criminal complaint, each separate incident occurred when Mitchell was home alone with the victim, who at the time was 12 years of age, and was suppose to keep an eye on the child while her mother was at work. The victim related that Mitchell touched her inappropriately on three separate occasions. Since the incident the victim’s mother and Mitchell moved to Ohio and she does not see him because she now resides with her great Aunt and legal guardian. The girl also told police that Mitchell tried to contact her via Snapchat last week. District Judge Jerry G. Cartwright has issued a warrant for his arrest. Suspects are considered to be innocent until proven guilty or adjudicated in a court of law.

HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION:
On October 6, 2021 at approximately 8:15 a.m., the Chippewa Township Police Department requested PA State Police assistance with a deceased female located in a field off Route-51 near the 2400 block of Constitution Boulevard in Chippewa Township. Prior to the arrival of PSP, police secured the scene and upon PSP arrival, forensic services was requested to process the scene. The scene was processed and the deceased was identified as 46-year-old Sharon Benyo of Beaver Falls. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Pennsylvania State Police Beaver unit with information.

ASSAULT:
According a criminal complaint, on October 3rd at approximately 7:31 p.m. police were dispatched to an apartment complex on North Street for a domestic incident. Police learned Scott Jackson, 27, of New Galilee, had fled the scene after the incident. The victim related to police that she had been arguing with Jackson earlier in the day and when Jackson returned to the resident, she met him in the hallway where Jackson punched her in the chest with two closed fists leaving a large red mark on the victim’s chest. Jackson is charged with Simple Assault and Harrassment.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND BURGLARY:
According to a criminal complaint, on October 3rd at approximately 7:53 p.m. police were dispatched to an initial report of scattering rubbish at a residence on Mill Bridge Road. The complainant stated that an unknown actor had been depositing rubbish in the area of an abandoned trailer park which he was part owner. The complainant provided photographs taken from a trail camera which showed the actor, Jesse Carr, 37, of Butler, depositing waste and household items on to an area adjacent to George Street, Slippery Rock Township. Police proceeded to the George Street location where Carr was present and Carr was immediately taken into custody. Carr is charged with multiple counts, including Criminal Mischief, Loitering, and Burglary.

OPERATION CULLING THE PERENNIALS:
During the late evening hours of October 6, 2021, Detectives from the District Attorney’s Special Investigations Unit, District Attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division, New Castle City Narcotics, Union Township Police Department, Pulaski Police Department and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole executed a search warrant at 1004 Butler Ave, Apt. 3, the residence of Mr. Glen Samuels. The following items were seized during the search: 107.9 grams of suspected heroin, 26.48 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 10.2 grams of uncut suspected cocaine, 2 digital weigh scales, 2 cellular phones and $535 in U.S. Currency. Mr. Samuels was committed to the Lawrence County Jail on a parole violation and will be charged with 2 counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver. He will be arraigned on October 7, 2021.

FALSE ALARMS:
On October 3, 2021, police issued a charge of Control of Alarm Devices and Automatic Dailing Devices/False Alarms against Universal Refractories, Inc, in Wampum, PA. According to the report, the defendant who owns, uses or possesses an alarm device or automatic dialing device did cause or permit three false alarms to occur in a consecutive 12-month period, cause or permit a subsequent false alarm to occur in the same consecutive 12-month period. To wit: The defendant did permit 4 false alarms to occur in a consecutive 12 month period.

DRUG POSSESSION:
Three Butler teenagers were charged with drug possession after a traffic stop on Route 422 and Copper Road in Slippery Rock Township, in Lawrence County. According to the report, on September 11 just after midnight, PA State Police initiated a traffic stop of a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica for a vehicle code violation. It was determined that several juveniles were under the influence of drugs and were in possession of drugs. Charges have been completed and submitted.

VEHICLE ACCIDENT:
A 61-year-old Georgia man was involved in a accident on North Tower Road near McCartney Hollow Road in Perry Township, Lawrence County last month. According to the report, on September 29 at approximately 1:45 pm., police responded to a commercial motor vehicle that had struck a bridge guide rail on North Tower Road. After investigation, the trailing unit of the 2011 Volvo driven by Earl Hunter, of Georgia, collided with the guide rail and sustained heavy functional damage that required towing. Hunter was not injured but will be charged with violating the restrictions of the bridge/roadway regarding commercial motor vehicle usage.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT:
One person was seriously injured after a motorcycle accident on Portersville Road, west of Richard Street, in Portersville, Wayne Township, on September 28. According to the report, at approximately 9:43 p.m. the 2000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, driven by Codey Bouzek, 31, Darlington, was west bound on Route 488 and going too fast and unable to negotiate a curve to the right. Bouzek crossed over the east bound lane and into the embankment. He continued and crashed into a chain link fence thus causing major damage. Bouzek was found to be under the influence of alcohol and flown to a UPMC hospital for serious injuries. Charges are pending the blood results.

FRAUD CHARGES:
A Beaver County man plead guilty in federal court to charges of access device fraud and identity theft, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced this week. Danel Cordero, age 35, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Cordero purchased stolen credit card numbers through the dark web and encoded them onto the magnetic strips of gift cards, which he then used to make unauthorized purchases from businesses in and around the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for January 26, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than twelve years in prison, a fine not to exceed $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The Court ordered that Cordero remain on bond pending sentencing. This case resulted from the investigations of multiple agencies, including the Beaver Borough Police Department, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.