Burlington Twp. Man Charged with Possession/Distribution of Child Pornography

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Burlington Township Public Safety Director Bruce Painter announced that a 20-year-old township resident has been charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Alan Sylvain, of the 600 block of Francois Court, (photo) was charged with three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (two are Second Degree, one is Third Degree).

The investigation began earlier this year after the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit received information regarding Sylvain’s online activities from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The investigation revealed that Sylvain had transferred child pornography files utilizing an online chatting platform. Sylvain lived in Palmyra at the time the crimes were committed.

He was taken into custody on December 13 following the execution of a search warrant at his residence. Investigators seized electronic devices during the search.

The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment. Sylvain will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Remy.

The investigation was conducted by the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit, with assistance from United States Homeland Security Investigations – Cherry Hill Office and the Burlington Township Police Department. The lead investigator is BCPO Detective Kevin Sobotka.

The Prosecutor’s Office 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.

Shari M. Piriz of Voorhees, formerly of Marlton

On December 16, 2019.

Age 58 of

Voorhees, formerly of Marlton. Devoted daughter of the late Harry and Arlene Lefkowitz (nee Smith). Cherished brother of Steve Lefkowitz (Beth). Devoted aunt of Matt Lefkowitz.

Honoring her wishes, there will be no viewing or services. Burial will held privately at a later date.

Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME

Ph: 856-456-1142

Voorhees PD Seeking Help with Potential Luring Incident

VOORHEES TOWNSHIP,NJ –December 20, 2019, at approximately 1:46pm, a 12 year old juvenile female reported that she was chased in the parking lot of 282 Echelon Road in Voorhees. She

reported that a heavy set male, unknown race, wearing a black winter style mask, green jacket and blue pants exited a white work van and chased her through the parking lot about 100 yards.

She then said the male stopped running and went back to the van and left the area. There are no witnesses and no vehicle license plate information at this time.

If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact the Voorhees Police Department at (856) 428-5400 or email Lt. RJ Hamburg at rhamburg@VTPD.com.

Please remember to pay attention to your surroundings, use caution when traveling alone and keep your cellphone and anything else that could be considered a distraction in your pocket while walking.

Address/Location

Voorhees Township Police Department

1180 White Horse Road

Voorhees Township, NJ 08043

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-428-5400

Lady Lions Win Opener

Gloucester City, NJ (Dec. 20, 2019)—The Gloucester City LadyLions played a regulation game but needed overtime to defeat a stubborn Salem Rams 53 – 48. The Lady Lions struggled early but put together a strong 2nd half. The Lions had a brief meltdown that let the host Rams tie the game in the final minutes of regulation before sending into overtime.

The Lady Lions defense clapped down in overtime on Salem but foulshooting determined the final outcome.

Photo\’s courtesy of Bruce Darrow

See more GHS Photos at Darrowphotos.com

Pictured below Lady Lions celebrate 1st victory of season

Pictured below Crystal Johnson

Pictured below Emily Keith

Pictured below Meghan Ferry

Pictured below Chloe Bennett

PENNSYLVANIA SPORTSBOOKS SCORE $316 MILLION NOVEMBER

(LAS VEGAS) — Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks celebrated the industry’s first birthday in November by setting a new monthly handle record and surpassing $1 billion in lifetime wagers. The industry continues to gain steam as its online product matures, a process boosted by the recent online launch of DraftKings and Unibet, according to

PlayPennsylvania.com

analysts.

“Pennsylvania has come a long way in a year,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for

PlayPennsylvania.com

. “Plagued with relatively high gaming taxes and early hurdles to its online launch, Pennsylvania’s future as a legal sports betting jurisdiction was murky at the beginning. But despite the issues in its infancy, the state has proven to be attractive for operators and the market is truly beginning to flourish.”

Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks accepted $316.5 million in wagers in November, up 31.2% from October’s $241.2 million, according to official data released Tuesday. Those bets generated $20.6 million in revenue — up from October’s $19.1 million win — and yielded $3.9 million in state taxes.

The totals are a far cry from November 2018 when the state’s first and only sportsbook, Hollywood Casino, generated $1.4 million in bets and $508,997 in gross revenue. Since, Pennsylvania has grown into the third-largest legal sports betting jurisdiction in the country, and continues to chase neighbor New Jersey, which accepted $562.2 million in bets in November.

The most important factor in Pennsylvania’s growth was the summer 2019 launch of online sports betting. The roster of online brands has grown to seven following the November launches of DraftKings, under The Meadows license, and Unibet, under the Mohegan Sun Pocono umbrella. Those seven online sportsbooks generated 84.3% of the state’s November handle — a total of $266.7 million, up from $198.7 million in October.

“Online sports betting has unquestionably been the key driver of the state’s growth,” Gouker said. “Not only has online betting grown to account for an overwhelming majority of the state’s handle, but it has also helped spur growth among retail sportsbooks. That is a pattern that we saw in New Jersey, too.”

FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino remains dominant in the online market, despite fresh competition from rival DraftKings and Unibet. FanDuel accepted $149.7 million in November bets, up from $113.9 million in October, yielding $9.2 million in revenue, up from $8.1 million. FanDuel was followed by:

Rivers-Philadelphia ($32.4 million in handle, up from $30 million in October; $1.9 million revenue, down from $2.5 million)

Rivers-Pittsburgh ($30.6 million handle, up from $26.6 million; $1.7 million revenue, up from $1.6 million)

Parx Casino ($22.4 million handle, up from $18.4 million; $1.6 million revenue, down from $1.7 million)

DraftKings at The Meadows ($16.2 million handle; $1.6 million revenue)

Fox Bet at Mount Airy ($13.5 million handle, up from $9.8 million; $1.2 million revenue, up from $591,309 in revenue)

Unibet at Mohegan Sun Pocono ($1.9 million handle; $26,440 revenue)

“With the addition of DraftKings, Pennsylvania now has the two largest sports betting brands in the country,” Gouker said. “The question is whether DraftKings can make a dent in FanDuel’s market dominance, or has FanDuel’s early launch baked in its market advantages for the foreseeable future.”

Rivers-Pittsburgh’s $8.88 million handle, up from $7.7 million in October, narrowly led the retail market. That yielded $486,449 in revenue, down from $699,611. Rivers was followed by:

Rivers Philadelphia, formerly SugarHouse ($8.87 million handle in October, up from $7.2 million; $234,951 revenue, down from $813,839)

Parx ($8.1 million handle, up from $7.5 million; $739,281 revenue, down from $1 million)

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course ($3.8 million handle, up from $3 million; $48,520 revenue, down from $350,083)

Presque Isle ($3.7 million handle, down from $3.2 million; $302,458 revenue, up from $194,829)

South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbook ($3.6 million handle, up from $2.8 million; $339,310 revenue, down from $402,272)

Valley Forge Casino ($3.2 million handle, down from $4.1 million; $192,492 revenue, up from $155,730)

Harrah’s Philadelphia ($3 million handle, up from $2.3 million; $234,355 revenue, down from $277,295)

Mohegan ($2.5 million handle, up from $2.1 million; $173,120 revenue, down from $305,697)

Oaks Race and Sportsbook ($1.4 million handle, up from $1.1 million; $149,765 revenue, down from $162,127)

Mount Airy ($868,026 handle, up from $641,087 handle; $43,680 revenue, down from $86,800 in revenue)

Online casino industry expands in November

The launch of poker and two new online casinos in November helped boost Pennsylvania’s gross revenue to a new high-water mark. The state’s fledgling industry, which now boasts five online casinos, generated $9.7 million in November gross revenue, up 98% from $4.9 million in October.

The launch of PokerStars Casino, Nov. 4, and Unibet/Mohegan Sun Pocono, Nov. 12, combined with the addition of poker, spurred wagers to $316.8 million, up 58% from $200.2 million in October. Poker alone accounted for $2 million in revenue in its first month, an impressive total considering the bit part it plays in neighboring New Jersey. In all, online casinos generated $2.4 million in state taxes in November.

Rivers-Philadelphia held on to the market lead with $3.2 million in revenue on $148.7 million in bets. That was up from $2.5 million in October revenue on $85.6 million in wagers. Rivers-Philadelphia was followed by:

Penn National ($1.9 million in revenue, up from $1.8 million in October; $57.1 million in bets, up from $56.6 million)

Parx ($1.5 million in revenue, up from $610,187; $55.5 million in wagers, down from $58 million)

Mount Airy/PokerStars ($3 million in revenue; $48 million in bets)

Unibet/Mohegan Sun Pocono ($131,415 in revenue; $7.4 million in bets)

“The online casino industry is finally gaining momentum, but Pennsylvania’s tax structure has definitely slowed its development,” Gouker said. “Still, with poker showing promise, especially compared to New Jersey, and new operators coming online, Pennsylvania’s market should really begin to take off.”

For more information on the revenue generated by Pennsylvania sports betting, visit www.

playpennsylvania.com/revenue

About the

PlayUSA.com

Network:

The

PlayUSA.com

Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states,

PlayUSA.com

and its state-focused branches (including

PlayNJ.com

and

PlayPennsylvania.com

) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.

Trump uses Hershey rally to tout ‘single best year’ for Pennsylvania’s economy

By Steve Bittenbender |

The Center Square

President Donald Trump visited central Pennsylvania Tuesday night for a campaign rally, and while he’s held similar events in other states recently for other candidates, the focus of the evening was on his administration and his re-election campaign.

Trump spoke for about 75 minutes at the Giant Center in Hershey, a 10,500-seat arena about 30 minutes east of Harrisburg. He was joined on stage by Vice President Mike Pence, and while the president brought up national subjects, such as the impeachment hearings the House is holding, he made sure to tell the crowd why they should vote for him again next November.

He reeled off figures demonstrating how well the state’s economy has performed, such as the Pennsylvania unemployment rate hitting a record low earlier in the year, although that figure has gone up slightly since. He also noted a visit he made to a Shell Chemical plant that’s under construction in Beaver County. At $6 billion, it ranks as one of the biggest investment projects in state history.

After Democrats said manufacturing was a dying industry in the country, Trump said his administration found the “magic wand” to bring those jobs back home.

“Here in Pennsylvania you had the single best year that you’ve ever had in the history of our country,” Trump said.

Pennsylvania, with its 20 Electoral College votes, is all but certain to be a battleground state again in the 2020 presidential election. The Keystone State was a crucial victory for Trump over Hillary Clinton three years ago when he won by just 44,292 votes out of nearly 5.9 million ballots cast. It marked the first Republican presidential victory in the state since George H.W. Bush won in 1988.

Winning the state again will be critical for Trump’s re-election hopes. However, while he drew raucous cheers from the crowd Tuesday night, Trump’s prospects in the state are unclear.

According to recent polling, he likely will be the underdog in Pennsylvania next year regardless of who the Democratic Party nominates to run against him. A Muhlenberg College/Allentown Morning Call survey released last month showed that former Vice President Joe Biden held a nine-point lead over Trump, and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders – two other top Democratic candidates – held five-point leads.

While the survey indicated that 57 percent of Pennsylvania’s registered voters do not believe Trump should win a second term, it also indicated that Biden, Warren and Sanders have higher unfavorable ratings than favorable as well.

The state’s Democratic Party used the visit as a chance to note his policies on health insurance, which they say could raise costs on individuals with pre-existing conditions. Nancy Patton Mills, chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, called the president “an ineffective leader” in a statement released shortly after he concluded his rally.

“The President knows that he has to play defense in Pennsylvania because of his broken promises to working families in our commonwealth,” she said. “Pennsylvania Democrats are fired up and ready to work around the clock to ensure victory in 2020. The future of our nation depends on it.”

published here with permission of

The Center Square

FBI Praises Police Officers for Risking Their Lives to Save Fire Victim

Hudson, New Hampshire–

Law enforcement officers are challenged daily while answering the call of duty; they face each encounter freely and unselfishly. In certain instances, their actions warrant special attention from their respective departments. The

Bulletin

also wants to recognize those situations that transcend the normal rigors of the profession.

One night in April 2019 just after 2 a.m., Officer Colby Morton was on her way to work at the Hudson, New Hampshire, Police Department, when an unusual light caught her eye in the top left apartment of a residential building. She quickly recognized the light as a fire and immediately notified the police and fire departments. Not having equipment to act, she continued to the station for duty.

Officers Daniel Donahue, Alec Golner, and Robert McNally responded to the building, where they took action to save the lives of the occupants. They cleared the other three apartments of residents and learned that the occupant of the upper left apartment was deaf and still inside.

The three officers immediately went up the exterior stairway to the outside entry door. They heard footsteps inside the apartment and then a sound as if someone fell to the floor. The officers accessed the entry door with some difficulty because it was barricaded from within.

Facing heavy smoke and heat, Officer McNally crawled in, with Officer Golner following him. Officer McNally located the unconscious resident on the floor about 10 feet in and grabbed onto him. Officers Golner and Donahue then took hold of Officer McNally’s belt and formed a chain. The three officers pulled the resident out and carried him down the stairs and away from the building.

Fire department personnel arrived to care for the injured resident and respond to the fire. Authorities later determined that the resident himself was responsible for the fire and had a plan to confront first responders.

All four officers were recognized for their lifesaving efforts by the Hudson Police Department. Officer Morton received a lifesaving award. Officers Donahue, Golner, and McNally received lifesaving awards with valor for their efforts in facing extreme danger.

Officer Colby Morton

Officer Alec Golner

Officer Daniel Donahue

Officer Robert McNally

Nominations for the FBI Law Enforcement

Bulletin Notes

should be based on either the rescue of one or more citizens or an arrest(s) made at unusual risk to an officer’s safety. Submissions should include a short write-up, a separate photograph of each nominee, and a letter from the department’s ranking officer endorsing the nomination. Submissions can be e-mailed to

leb@fbi.gov

or mailed to Editor,

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin

, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135.

Via

Officer Down Memorial page

CNB Crime

Blue Line

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

published Gloucestercitynews.net | Dec. 19, 2019

DNREC’s Natural Resources Police deliver 585 toys

to U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Officer Rebecca Schuman of the Environmental Crimes Unit, and Cpl. David Redgraves and Cpl. Andrew Manning of Delaware State Parks Natural Resources Police delivered 270 toys to the Dover Toys for Tots facility in Dover Dec. 16. DNREC photo/Joanna Wilson.

DOVER (Dec. 18, 2019) – After a statewide gift-giving campaign throughout the holiday season, DNREC Natural Resources Police units from Delaware State Parks, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Division of Community Affairs’ Environmental Crimes Unit have delivered 585 toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in Delaware to provide gifts for less fortunate children in local communities for the holidays.

“Toys for Tots ensures that less fortunate children can awaken to presents in this season of giving, and I am proud that DNREC’s three Natural Resources Police units stepped up to make that a reality for hundreds of Delaware families,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Thanks to the dedication of Cpl. Andrew Manning of our Parks Natural Resources Police and all the other officers who took part in this campaign, DNREC has helped make a difference.”

The three Natural Resources Police units placed Toys for Tots donation boxes in locations statewide, including DNREC offices and state parks, to collect new, unwrapped toys suitable for boys and girls of all ages.

In Sussex County Dec. 13, DNREC Natural Resources Police officers met Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Marine Patrol vessel Alpha at the Indian River Marina to pick up toys collected from six Sussex donation locations and deliver them to the Sussex Toys for Tots facility. They collected 315 toys, which will be among those distributed to children in 1,038 Sussex families.

A total of 270 toys collected in Kent and New Castle counties were delivered Dec. 16 to the Dover Toys for Tots facility for distribution. The Kent County facility is serving more than 1,200 children, with a waiting list.

DNREC Natural Resources Police officers gathered Dec. 12 at Indian River Marina near Rehoboth Beach to pick up toys collected from six Sussex donation locations for Sussex County families through their participation in the US Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. They collected 315 toys, which will be among those distributed to less fortunate children in 1,038 Sussex families. Pictured aboard Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Marine Patrol vessel Alpha, are Fish & Wildlife Officer Billy Adkins (in back); Environmental Crimes Unit’s Lt. John McCarty; Delaware State Parks’ Cpl. Andrew Manning and Lt. Bryan John; Fish & Wildlife Chief Drew Aydelotte and Sgt. Brooke Mitchell; ECU Officer Rebecca Schuman; Fish & Wildlife Lt. Casey Zolper; and special guest Santa Claus (Fish & Wildlife Cpl. Josh Hudson), with K-9 Officer Rosco. DNREC photo/Shauna McVey.

Guest Opinion: Third Church-Suing Top Cop Imprisoned

December 18, 2019

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the

conviction of another Church-suing top cop

Thomas Spota, who served as the District Attorney of Suffolk County for many years, was convicted yesterday of covering up for a police chief who brutally beat a handcuffed man for stealing sex toys and pornography from his car. If this were all there were to this story, it wouldn\’t be worth mentioning. But there\’s more.

In the early 2000s, following revelations of clergy sexual abuse by the Boston Globe, Spota impaneled a Long Island grand jury to probe the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He knew full well he could not prosecute anyone because of the statute of limitations, but that didn\’t matter. He never cross examined witnesses and refused to allow officials from the diocese to testify. Worse, he leaked a copy of the grand jury report to Newsday before the diocese had a chance to respond.

Spota is the third top cop with a vendetta against the Catholic Church to wind up behind bars.

In 2017, Seth Williams, the Philadelphia District Attorney, was sentenced to five years in prison on multiple counts of bribery, extortion, and fraud. He even robbed money set aside to pay for his own mother\’s nursing home care, using it to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Williams tried desperately to railroad accused priests, relying on the testimony of Danny Gallagher, a.k.a. \”Billy Doe,\” an alleged victim. He was described by journalist Ralph Cipriano as \”a former drug addict, heroin dealer, habitual liar, third-rate conman and thief [who] made up the whole story.\” As a result, four innocent men were sent to jail.

The third loser top cop to be sent to the slammer was Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane. She started the state-wide grand jury probe of the Catholic Church that was ultimately picked up by her discredited successor, Josh Shapiro. She was sentenced in 2016 for leaking sealed, confidential grand jury documents to the media and for lying under oath.

The Catholic League clashed with Spota, Williams, and Kane on many occasions. While they were not imprisoned for their misdeeds against the Catholic Church, their flawed character—which we observed many times—ultimately caught up with them in a criminal way.

Interestingly, even though the three of them are Catholic, they all harbored an animus against Catholicism. It would be good for them to reflect on their predicament this Christmas season. Redemption may be at hand.

Congratulations to Voorhees Police & Fire Chief Louis Bordi

Voorhees, New Jersey: Congratulations to Voorhees Police & Fire Chief Louis Bordi for receiving a community impact award from the Voorhees Business Association. Chief Bordi was recognized for his hard work and implementation of outreach programs within the community. During Chief

Bordi’s tenure, progressive community policing programs have been incorporated into the department’s annual agenda. Some of the most popular programs consist of national night out, coffee with a cop, LEAD drug awareness courses, the junior police academy, the citizens police academy, and the Car Show. The priority that Chief Bordi has placed on community policing has fostered and solidified a transparent an open relationship with the residents and business owners of Voorhees.

The Voorhees Business Association (VBA) is a community-based partnership of business, civic and educational segments within Voorhees Township. They have over 100 members and this year marks their 30th anniversary. The VBA meets on a monthly basis and assists with supporting many community initiatives such as the Voorhees Police Holiday Fund, Voorhees Special Olympics and scholarships to students from Eastern Regional High School.

Address/Location

Voorhees Township Police Department

1180 White Horse Road

Voorhees Township, NJ 08043

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-428-5400