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The week in review...

A summary of some of the cases recently handled by the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office.

  • Woman found guilty of conspiracy in retail theft incident at Macy's - Commonwealth v. Shaniqua Wallace-Goins:  A Dauphin County jury today (Jan. 17, 2014) found Shaniqua Wallace-Goins guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit retail theft for her role in a retail theft incident at Macys in December 2012.  Wallace-Goins, her sister Carlshaya Wallace-Goins, and a friend entered Macy’s Department Store on December 10, 2012. Wallace-Goins' sister and their friend concealed plastic shopping bags in their purses. Video surveillance captured the three women walking throughout Macy’s selecting various articles of clothing; they then concealed the clothes in the shopping bag and attempted to leave the store. When confronted by loss prevention the women discarded the bag of merchandise. The store and police determined there was approximately $1,000.00 worth of merchandise in the plastic bag.  Carlshaya Wallace-Gions pleaded guilty to one count retail theft and one count criminal conspiracy on August 20, 2013.  The third accomplice is currently in the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program (A.R.D., a program for first offenders).  This case was prosecuted by Jennifer Robinson under the supervision of Deputy District Attorneys Dave Wilson & Jennifer Hartlep.
     
  • Middletown man accused of violating Megan's Law waives preliminary hearing - Commonwealth v. Louis Miller: Louis Miller, from Middletown, has waived his preliminary hearing for failing to register a new address with the Pennsylvania State Police pursuant to mandatory reporting laws regarding sexual offenders. Miller is potentially facing a three year state prison sentence for failing to comply with his Megan's Law registration requirements.  This case was handled by Deputy District Attorney Phillip Kirchner.

From last week:

  • Charges against a couselor at A.R.C. in Swatara Twp.bound over for trial -  Commonwealth v. Ishmael Green:    On January 8, 2014, Ismael Green a preliminary hearing was held on assault charges before Magistrate District Justice Michael J. Smith.  It is alleged that Green, who works as a counselor at the A.R.C. (Alternative Rehabilitation Communities) Woodlawn facility in Swatara Township, assaulted a juvenile victim who attempted to escape from the facility.  The juvenile was court-committed to the facility for rehabilitation.  On November 11, 2013, he jumped out of the window because he wanted to spend Thanksgiving with his family.  Green caught up with him at the nearby Turkey Hill, where the juvenile was attempting to make a phone call.   Green grabbed ahold of the juvenile, threw him into a sunglasses rack, and in doing so, flipped him upside down.  Green sat with his knees on the juvenile’s chest, and put him in “choke hold” to the point of unconsciousness twice.  The assault started inside of the Turkey Hill and continued in the parking lot after the victim was dragged outside.  One witness testified that the juvenile was being swung around like a “rag doll.”  When a Turkey Hill employee told Green that he should stop, he replied with physical threats towards that individual.  He taunted the juvenile behind the backs of the responding paramedics, and once the juvenile came back to the facility, threatened him with sexual assaults.  Green’s charges were held for court. He remains out of custody on $10,000 unsecured bail.  The PA Department of Public Welfare is investigating the incident as well. Green has been placed on administrative leave from the A.R.C. facility.  Note:  Green's charges are an accusation at this time and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Hartlep handled this case for the Commonwealth.
     
  • Attempted Homicide charges bound over for court in strangulation case - Commonwealth v. Brian Leeks:  Brian Leeks was bound over for Attempted Homicide before Magisterial District Judge Robert Jennings, III, for beating and strangling a woman to the point she was unconscious and had fallen into a running bathtub. She was hospitalized for 4 days as a result of the attack. Harrisburg city Det O'Connor made the arrest. The victim asked judge to dismiss charges during her testimony.  At the conclusion of the hearing, in addition to the criminal attempt homicide charge, MDJ Jennings also sent the charges of aggravated assault and terroristic threats to the Court of Common Pleas.  Formal Arraignment in this case is scheduled for March 3, 2014, in the Court of Common Pleas.  Note: Leeks' charges are an accusation at this time and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  The preliminary hearing in this case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle. 
     
  • Charge bound over for man who went on a four county robbery spree - Commonwealth v. Landon Thomas: Landon Thomas was bound over on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, before Magisterial District Judge Robert Jennings, III, for allegedly committing 11 robberies in Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster and Cumberland Counties. He was apprehended by Harrisburg city police officers after he robbed the Fulton Bank on Third Street, in Harrisburg, in September 2013. Further investigation by nine Central Pennsylvania police departmens established he had additionally robbed 10 other mid-state convenience stores. Dauphin County is handling the prosecution of all 11 cases. Note: Thomas' charges are an accusation at this time and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  The preliminary hearing in this case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle.

If you missed them, you may also be interested in these announcements from earlier this week:

Created Jan 17, 2014 @ 3:49 PM
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