DEFENSE CLAIMS WRONGFUL CONVICTION

A Williamsport man accused of selling fentanyl to a confidential informant filed a motion to receive a new trial after a jury found him guilty in September. A motion for a new trial was put into play after Nathaniel Hill of Williamsport says he was wrongfully convicted of a 2019 fentanyl transaction.  The defense motioned for a new trial based on several discoveries that involved the credibility of a confidential informant used to allegedly make the controlled buy from Hill.  The motion will be heard by Judge Ryan Tira on December 1^st.

SHOTS FIRED INTO APARTMENT COMPLEX

Ukashah Ford of Philadelphia was denied bail on Thursday after allegedly firing several gunshots into the Timberland Apartment complex early Thursday morning.  Ford allegedly fired 5 shots into Building 5 of the complex, none of which entered the living quarters of the complex. He fired a 6^th shot that hit the passenger door to a Kia in the parking lot.  Ford was arraigned and locked up on charges of discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence and recklessly endangering and is sentenced to the Lycoming County Prison.

ANIMAL CRUELY CHARGES FOR SLAUGHTERHOUSE

A slaughterhouse in Centre County is facing charges for alleged animal cruelty charges.  Abattoir Industries is being accused by PETA after an August 31^st report stating at least 6 federal violations happened at the business.  The company received a suspension notice on August 6^th after doing multiple stuns of an animal before killing when USDA only allows one stun per animal, and they continued working with multiple stuns.  They have also been other reports of workers shooting animals multiple times, while still conscious.

COVID-19 NUMBERS FOR FRIDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 5, 583 new cases of COVID-19.  There were 92 new cases in Lycoming County, 76 in Northumberland County, 64 in Centre, 33 in Union, 24 in Snyder, 15 in Potter, and 14 in Montour.

METHAMPHETAMINE SALES BRINGS FELONY CHARGES

An agent with the Attorney General’s office said he waited for more than two hours after his confidential informant gave a man $3,000 for a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Dustin Kemp through a C.I. The agent and the informant met with Kemp at a predetermined location.  Kemp was given $3,000 in cash to make the purchase.  Kemp was arrested and charged with one count each of felony conspiracy, third-degree felony criminal use of a communication facility, and third-degree theft.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11.

SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES FOR WILLIAMSPORT MAN

A 13-year-old juvenile was pulled from under her bed and raped by a relative.  Officer Damon Cole arrived at the scene in Williamsport when a man had admitted he had molested the juvenile.  Corey Branch of Williamsport was arrested and charged with several felonies of sexual assault.   Branch was denied bail and is being held at the Lycoming County Prison with a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 14^th.

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES FOLLOWING HOME RAID

State Police raided a house in Catawissa to find 575 images and 19 videos containing child pornography.  Dallas Wehner of Catawissa was charged with 25 counts each of second-degree child pornography and third-degree criminal use of a communication facility.  A search warrant had been issued and State Police took several electronics to investigate.  Wehner is being held at the Columbia County Prison in lieu of a $50,000 monetary bond.

FELONY DRUG CHARGES FOR TWO NORTHUMBERLAND RESIDENTS

Two Northumberland borough residents are jailed and face felony possession with the intent to deliver after Sunbury Police set up a sting operation and were able to purchase drug.  Horace White and Reader Moten are jailed after appearing before Shamokin District Judge John Gembic on felony possession with the intent to deliver charges after city police said they used a confidential informant to purchase crack cocaine on Thursday.  Both appeared before Gembic Friday morning and were sent to Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail each.