Criminal Justice

Nicole Ann Stauffer, 47, of Bethlehem, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in her 2-year-old son's death in July 2022 She was sentenced Wednesday in Northampton County Court to 21 to 120 months in state prison.

In a span of about 20 minutes, Emmaus Borough Council thanked retiring Fire Chief John H. Price — he's been involved in fire service for 47 years — and swore in new police officer Matthew James Hutchins.

Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio says a new post-mortem CT scanner should be up and running in 4 to 8 weeks.

William Arthur Strunk of Stroudsburg entered the plea Friday before Judge Paula A. Roscioli, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said in a release Monday.

Allentown police are investigating the incident that they say occurred early Saturday night after they were called to the 1100 block of Fullerton Avenue.

Jason Krasley was a member of the Allentown Police Department's Vice Unit in May 2019 when $5,500 was taken during a search at a Hamilton Street barbershop.

Lehigh County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to seek state funding to study whether several municipal police departments in the county should be combined.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said methamphetamine is “a real issue” around the city and beyond.

Ongoing investigations are happening, according to the Northampton Co. D.A., into smoke shops selling THC products with misleading or untrue labels.

Lehigh County Clerk of Elections Tim Benyo said his office contacted law enforcement after determining an organization turned in hundreds of faulty voter registration applications.

The owners of an Easton hemp store were charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances after a raid on the store found illegal drugs, authorities said.

A motorcycle driver was clocked doing 112 mph during traffic enforcement Monday in one Lehigh Valley community, police said. It was 72 mph over the posted speed limit.

Police charged two men with gun-related crimes in the downtown area. Eight people were hit by gunfire in the first incident, including one who required life-saving surgery, according to charging documents. The second, unrelated incident involved a man who allegedly fired into the ground.

Allentown police responded as two groups shot at each other on North Seventh Street, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said. Police also opened fire. Several people were taken to hospitals, according to the district attorney.

Roughly 2.9 million Americans' personal data was leaked this month in a National Public Data security breach. Some of the affected data includes Social Security numbers, mailing addresses and phone numbers.

The Easton-based attorney is accused of threatening an investigator in his driveway, then emailing threats saying if anyone showed up at his house again "they will not live (to) tell about it.”

Another joint enforcement between the Pennsylvania State Police and the Allentown Police Department — in the same location as other previous details on American Parkway — netted nearly as many offenders this week.

Newly appointed Hellertown Police Chief James Baitinger pledged to "work tirelessly and make a positive difference in the lives of people we serve and the lives of our police officers."

Lehigh County Commissioners in recent meetings discussed the need for action related to a dearth of beds for the county's detained juveniles.

Ethan Bastien, 22, should be released from Lehigh County Jail on Thursday, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Allegations include Vice detectives having relationships with prostitutes, stealing money during searches and interfering with local and federal investigations.

Authorities announced the arrest of a 55-year-old Whitehall man Saturday. The attack happened about 6:05 p.m. in the 1300 block of North 14th Street in Whitehall Township, authorities said.