Third Defendant Pleads Guilty in “Paying it Forward” GoFundMe Scam

Agrees to repay restitution to victims, five-year prison term

BURLINGTON CITY NJ–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that the remaining defendant behind the fictitious GoFundMe campaign pled guilty today to participating in the fraudulent scheme that

misled donors into contributing more than $402,000 to a fabricated cause.

Mark D’Amico, 40, of Florence, pled guilty in Superior Court to Misapplication of Entrusted Property (Second Degree). The Hon. Terrence R. Cook, P.J.Cr. scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2020.

“We are pleased that this defendant accepted responsibility for his role in this scam,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “He will be required to make full restitution to GoFundMe and the donors – the true victims in this case – and has agreed to a five-year term in New Jersey state prison.”

D’Amico was charged late last year along with his girlfriend at the time, Katelyn McClure of Bordentown, and Johnny Bobbitt of Philadelphia, with concocting a feel-good story that compelled more than 14,000 people to contribute money believing it would go to help Bobbitt, who was homeless and living on the streets of Philadelphia.

Bobbitt pled guilty in March to Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception (Second Degree), and was admitted into the Superior Court’s drug court program when sentenced in April. The program allows those with addiction problems to seek treatment instead of being incarcerated. However, if Bobbitt fails to adhere to the tightly-structured regimen of treatment and recovery services, which includes frequent testing for drug use, he could be sentenced to five years in state prison.

Under the terms of an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, McClure admitted that she concocted the gas story at D’Amico’s direction, and pled guilty in April to Theft by Deception (Second Degree) in exchange for a four-year term in state prison. She has not yet been sentenced.

As part of their plea agreements, both McClure and Bobbitt also agreed to make restitution in the amount of $402,706.

The trio’s “Paying it Forward” GoFundMe campaign was created on November 10, 2017, soon after D’Amico took a picture of McClure and Bobbitt standing in front of the Girard Avenue exit ramp on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. The fairy tale narrative that accompanied the photo indicated that McClure had run out of gas, and Bobbitt spent his last $20 to help her get back on her way.

The campaign listed a goal of $10,000 to provide Bobbitt with rent for an apartment, a reliable vehicle and six months of living expenses, among other things. But the incoming funds far exceeded their expectations, and were quickly spent by McClure and D’Amico on casino gambling and personal items such as a BMW, a New Year’s trip to Las Vegas, a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and Louis Vuitton hand bags.

Within a few months of the campaign’s creation, all of the donated funds had been spent. Once he realized the money had been squandered, Bobbitt took civil action against D’Amico and McClure. He alleged in August 2018 through his attorneys that he had only received approximately $75,000 of the funds raised on his behalf.

“Today’s proceeding presents an opportunity to remind the public during the holidays to be cautious when considering making a charitable contribution,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “Do your research, and make sure you are donating to a worthwhile cause.”

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs encourages individuals to visit its website (

https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charities

) for tips on avoiding charity scams, and to notify the agency about suspicious activity.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew McDonnell, supervisor of the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit, and Assistant Prosecutor Saurabh Singal. The investigation was conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit and High-Tech Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Florence Township Police Department.

Evesham Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

Evesham Township NJ (Dec. 6, 2019)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 62-year-old Evesham Township man has pled guilty to possession of child pornography.

Scott J. Lucas, of Sheffield Drive, faces incarceration when sentenced March 4, 2020 on one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Third Degree). Lucas was employed by the Evesham Township Municipal Utilities Authority at the time of his arrest in March 2019.

The investigation began after the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit received information regarding Lucas’s online activity from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The investigation, which included the execution of a search warrant at his residence, revealed that Lucas would use online search engines to locate pictures of nude pre-pubescent girls.

The investigation was conducted by the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit, with assistance from United States Homeland Security Investigations – Cherry Hill Office, and the Evesham Township Police Department.

Lucas is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Steve Eife, supervisor of the Special Victims Section of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit.

The lead investigator was BCPO Detective Kevin Sobotka. The High-Tech Crimes Unit is a member of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the New Jersey State Police Cyber Terrorism Task Force.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

CC Prosecutors Office High Tech Crimes Unit Meets with Public

CHERRY HILL new jersey—The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit and Cherry Hill Police Department visited the Cherry Hill Mall yesterday

afternoon and manned a table near the Apple Store to share information with anyone interested in purchasing electronic devices for the holidays. While members of the High Tech Crimes Unit shared pamphlets on internet safety and spoke to dozens of interested parents, Sergeant Chris Robinson spoke to a local news station about the importance of a parent’s role in making sure their children are safe in the online world.

The CCPO High Tech Crimes Unit and Cherry Hill Police Department will be in the Cherry Hill Mall near the Apple Store to answer questions on cyber safety on December 12th and December 19th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Cyber-Safety-Tips-for-Children_Philadelphia-565808112.html

Philadelphia Tax Return Preparer Admits to Preparing False Tax Returns

PHILADELPHIA PA–On December 5, 2019, JOSE SANTIAGO (SANTIAGO), 48, of Philadelphia, PA, pled guilty to six counts of preparing false income tax returns.

SANTIAGO owned and operated Santiago Tax Service in Philadelphia, PA. While operating his tax preparation business, SANTIAGO prepared and filed numerous fraudulent tax returns. SANTIAGO inflated his clients’ unreimbursed employee business expensees and charitable donations; causing his clients to receive tax refunds that they were not entitled to. SANTIAGO’S actions caused a loss of approximately $914,635 to the IRS.

“Tax preparers have a duty to their clients to prepare tax returns that comply with the law and are complete and accurate,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco. “Mr. SANTIAGO failed to uphold this duty; instead he blatantly ignored the tax laws by preparing false tax returns.”

SANTIAGO’S sentencing is scheduled for March 19, 2020, before United States District Judge Joshua D. Wolson. SANTIAGO faces a statutory maximum sentence of 18 years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $914,635.00.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Schlessinger.

Pennsylvania AG and other Attorney Generals File Amicus Brief in Transgender Discrimination Case

December 2, 2019 | Topic:

Rights

Press Release

HARRISBURG PENNSYLVANIA – Attorney General Josh Shapiro and a coalition of 22 other Attorneys General are standing up for transgender rights by filing an

amicus brief

supporting an anti-discrimination lawsuit against the Gloucester County School Board in Virginia.

Gavin Grimm, a former student at Gloucester High School, sued the local school board in 2015 — when he was still a student — for discrimination that banned him from using the common male restrooms at his high school. The coalition filed an amicus brief in the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in support of Grimm in the case of

Gavin Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board.

“Discrimination for any reason is an offensive way to treat another human being, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is lending its voice and legal might to this important case to make sure transgender people have the right to basic human services,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said, who noted there are an estimated 44,000 Pennsylvanians who are transgender.

In a 2015 U.S. Transgender Amicus Brief of Pennsylvania residents, 77 percent of those who were perceived as transgender at some point between kindergarten and 12

grade said they experienced verbal harassment, being prohibited from dressing according to their gender identity, were disciplined more harshly than others, or were physically or sexually assaulted because people thought they were transgender.

Twelve percent of the Pennsylvania respondents faced such severe mistreatment as a transgender person that they left a K–12 school.

Grimm not only sued to challenge the Gloucester County School Board’s policy of banning him from using the common male restrooms at his high school, but also the board’s refusal to update his educational records to correspond with his updated birth certificate that reflects his male gender. The federal district court in Virginia ruled in Grimm’s favor in August 2019, finding that the school board’s actions discriminated against Grimm on the basis of his sex in violation of Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The coalition of attorneys general — led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson — argue, first and foremost, that transgender individuals have the right “to live with dignity, be free from discrimination, and have equal access to education, employment, housing, public accommodations, and other necessities of life.”

They also argue that policies that prevent transgender individuals from using gender-segregated facilities consistent with their gender identity cause stigma, isolation, and exclusion. The brief highlights how policies that allow students and members of the public to use gender-segregated facilities consistent with their gender identity promote safe and inclusive communities, workplaces, and schools, and benefit the people of the states without harming personal privacy or safety interests, or without incurring any substantial costs.

Finally, the brief highlights that the school board’s restroom policy preventing transgender people from using common restrooms consistent with their gender identity and its refusal to update Grimm’s school records do nothing to further legitimate governmental interests and only serve to stigmatize transgender persons in violation of the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause.

Nearly 1.5 million people in the United States — including approximately 150,000 teenagers — currently identify as transgender.

AG Shapiro joins the Attorneys General of New York, Washington, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia in filing the brief.

Pastor And President Of Louisiana Religious College Charged With Sexual Assault

NEWARK, N.J. – The president of a bible college will appeared in court on charges he sexually assaulted a student on an international flight bound for Newark, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Cornelius Tilton, 65, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged by complaint with one count of abusive sexual contact after being arrested by FBI agents on Nov. 30, 2019, when the flight, which departed from Tel Aviv, Israel, arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport. He is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Tilton was sitting in a window seat next to the victim, a 19-year-old male student at a theological seminary who was traveling with a group of students on a religious trip to Israel. Tilton accompanied the group as an unofficial guide and gave speeches.

During the flight, Tilton allegedly placed his hand on the victim’s bare calf. Tilton continued to touch the victim’s thigh, and eventually began rubbing the victim’s genitals over the victim’s shorts. The victim did not react, or look at Tilton, out of shock and fear. Tilton took the victim’s hand and placed it on Tilton’s erect penis, on top of his clothing. The victim got up to go to the bathroom, in hopes of ending the assault. Tilton also went to the bathroom. When the victim and Tilton were back in their seats, Tilton continued to touch the bare skin of the victim’s lower back, underneath the victim’s clothing. Tilton moved his hand around to the front of the victim’s waistline, and attempted to place his hand down the victim’s pants, when the victim blocked Tilton’s hand with his elbow. The victim then got up from the seat and informed a flight attendant about the assault.

The charge of abusive sexual contact carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison or a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Macurdy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mcadoo Man Convicted Of Threatening The President

SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Shawn Christy, age 28, of McAdoo, was convicted on November 26, 2019, by a federal jury on twelve counts involving threats against the President of the United States, transmitting threatening communications, interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, interstate transportation of stolen firearms, interstate transportation of firearms while charged with a felony offense, and unlawful possession of a firearm as a fugitive and as a convicted felon. The seven-day trial was held before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the jury deliberated for approximately six hours before finding Christy guilty of all charges.

The evidence showed that arrest warrants were issued for Christy in early June 2018, for his failure to appear for court proceedings in Schuylkill and Northampton Counties, and that while a fugitive Christy posted threats in June 2018 to kill President Trump, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, and any law enforcement officer that sought to detain him.

Christy was apprehended in Ohio on September 21, 2018, after a three-month manhunt by U.S. Marshals, FBI agents, Secret Service agents, and state and local law enforcement from six states. Prosecutors presented evidence that Christy stole and transported two vehicles from Pennsylvania to New York State and West Virginia, stole firearms and transported them from Pennsylvania to Maryland and Kentucky, broke into businesses in Pennsylvania and Maryland, broke into a church in Maryland, and broke into residences in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.

After the verdict, Judge Mariani ordered a presentence investigation report to be completed and tentatively scheduled sentencing for February 2020. Christy remains in custody pending sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the United States Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol agents, the Pennsylvania State Police, Butler Township Police, Maryland State Police, New York State Police, Allegany County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office, Nitro Police in West Virginia, Richland County Jail Officers in Ohio, Northeastern Ohio Correctional Officials, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis P. Sempa and Sean A. Camoni are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)

, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The maximum penalty under federal law for each threat offense is five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for each interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle offense is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for each interstate transportation of a stolen firearm offense, and for unlawful possession of a firearm as a fugitive and convicted felon, is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for each interstate transportation of a firearm while charged with a felony offense is five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant\’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

GTPD Participating In Statewide Impaired Driving Enforcement Crackdown

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP NJ (Dec. 4, 2019)–Beginning December 6, 2019 and continuing through January 1, 2020, local and state law enforcement officers will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated. The Gloucester Township Police will be cracking down on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of the annual end of year “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort endeavors to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education. During the last five years New Jersey has experienced nearly 37,000 alcohol involved crashes resulting in more than 679 fatalities. Last year, 20% of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Just last year, 10,511 people died in drunk driving crashes across the nation. The societal cost associated with these crashes is estimated to be $44 billion annually.

We want to offer the following advice for the holiday season:

• Take mass transit, a taxicab, rideshare service or ask a sober friend to drive you home.

• Spend the night where the activity or party is held.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement.

• Always buckle-up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.

• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

The timing of this initiative is even more important given it coincides with the holidays where we see an increase in traffic volume due to celebrations involving family and friends as well as numerous shopping trips to retail businesses. The Gloucester Township Police Department is committed to ensuring everyone gets to where they are going safely by enforcing aggressive driving behaviors and detecting and arresting those driving while under the influence. We want to reinforce the importance of safe driving behaviors in an effort to save a life or prevent a serious injury.

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

Gloucester City Police Announce Christmas Road Closures/Parking Restrictions

December, 2019

On Thursday, December 5

. the annual Gloucester City Christmas Parade will begin on Johnson Blvd. at Monmouth Street at 6:00 pm.

The parade will proceed west on Monmouth Street to King Street.

In order to accommodate the parade, the following road closures will be in place from 5:30 pm until 9:00 pm.

Roads will be reopened earlier, as safety permits:

Monmouth St. closed from Johnson Blvd. to King St.

Johnson Blvd. closed between Frances and Bergen Sts.

Brown St. closed between Somerset and Bergen Sts.

East Brown St. between Frances and Somerset Sts. closed to westbound traffic only (towards Somerset St.)

Eastbound traffic traveling from Somerset towards Frances will be open.

N. Railroad Ave. at Monmouth St.

S. Railroad Ave. at Bergen St.

Champion Rd. at Somerset St.

Sussex St. between Somerset and Monmouth Sts.

Burlington St. between Bergen and Monmouth Sts.

The following parking restrictions will be in place from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm:

Monmouth St. (both sides) between Johnson Blvd. and King St.

Johnson Blvd. (both sides) between Frances and Hudson Sts.

King St. (both sides) between Hudson and Monmouth Sts.

Signs will be posted and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation.

Officer Down: Master-at-Arms Oscar J. Temores

Master-at-Arms Oscar J. Temores

United States Navy Security Forces, U.S. Government

End of Watch

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Virginia Beach, Virginia-

-Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Oscar Temores was killed when his patrol car was intentionally struck by a vehicle that had run the

gate at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The vehicle entered Fort Story at Gate 8 on Atlantic Avenue by driving the wrong way in the outbound lanes at a high rate of speed at 7:35 pm. Personnel at the gate immediately requested assistance and MA3 Temores began to respond to the scene. The civilian driver of the vehicle intentionally struck MA3 Temores’ patrol car head-on responded to locate the vehicle.

MA3 Temores was transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital where he died a short time later. The subject, who was also injured, was taken into custody. His motive for entering the base is under investigation.

MA3 Temores had served with the U.S. Navy Security Forces for only 10 months. He is survived by his wife and 2-year-old son.

Via

Officer Down Memorial page

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published Gloucestercitynews.net | Dec. 4, 2019