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bookmark_borderBudweiser Made in America Philadelphia Music Festival

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Mayor of Philadelphia admitted the City did not know how much it would cost taxpayers to accommodate the Live Nation (private company) event.  The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, “The public cost of hosting an upcoming music festival featuring Jay-Z and Pearl Jam has not been fully calculated….”

CITY HALL -– City of Philadelphia and SEPTA officials announced that SEPTA is preparing to add and adjust service for the upcoming Budweiser Made In America Festival, which will be held on the Parkway Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2. Budweiser Made in America will be locally produced by Live Nation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and will benefit local United Way organizations.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter urged concert-goers and visitors to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway attractions to use public transportation because SEPTA will bolster its transit schedule to get them to-and-from the show. “Philadelphia is a green, walk-able city with a world class public transportation system,” he said. “I strongly urge visitors and residents to use this great resource during Budweiser Made in America.”

SEPTA officials advised that the best method for traveling to and from Budweiser Made in America is SEPTA’s subway/subway-elevated routes, the Broad Street Line and the Market-Frankford Line. “These lines are easily accessible for riders throughout the region, with stops located just a short walking distance from the concert site,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey. “Both lines also provide connections with other SEPTA rail, bus and trolley service, which gives concert-goers a number of travel options.”

SEPTA will add service on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines throughout the two-day festival, with trains running every five-to-ten minutes before, during and after the performances. Service will also be added on the Norristown High Speed Line, which provides a connection with the Market-Frankford Line at the 69th Street Transportation Center, and on city trolley routes. Details on adjustments to bus service will be announced in the coming days.

Regional Rail lines will operate on regular weekend schedule on September 1 and September 2. For ease and convenience of travel, concert-goers who may normally use Regional Rail are urged to take advantage of the extra service that will run on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line.

SEPTA will also add service for several other Labor Day weekend events. On Friday, August 31, extra trains will be added, as needed, on the Market-Frankford Line for the concert and fireworks show at Penn’s Landing. Also, trips will be added to the Broad Street Line prior to the Bruce Springsteen concerts at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, September 2 and Monday, September 3. Extra local trains will run every 10 minutes starting about one hour before these shows, which are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information, riders can visit www.septa.org.

Budweiser Made in America is the first ticket-for-purchase event held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Construction of the concert venue began on August 23. Construction will cause minimal interruption to motorists up until August 30, when street closures and parking restrictions around the Parkway area will begin and run through September 3. Access to the venue is limited to Festival ticket-holders only. Festival goers are urged to purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com.

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists embodying the diverse American musical spirit. They will perform on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2. Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days.

The City will provide more details on the Festival in the coming days.

ABOUT THE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Mayor Michael A. Nutter released details about the City of Philadelphia’s plans to welcome the “Budweiser Made in America” Festival, an exciting, two-day music festival Labor Day weekend.  This event will be locally produced by Live Nation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and will benefit local United Way organizations.

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists embodying the diverse American musical spirit. They will perform on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2.  Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days.

“Philadelphia, the birthplace of America and a major destination for music, arts and culture, is delighted to welcome visitors from all over the country to this truly national music festival that will enliven our City on Labor Day weekend,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Jay Z and the Budweiser Made in America Festival are setting a new standard in live entertainment with an array of talent and a commitment to benefit local communities through financial support of United Way organizations.”

Specifically, this concert will benefit United Way organizations in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Lancaster County, PA and New York City, enabling them to invest more dollars in their regions, strengthen local communities and positively impact the education, health and well being of the most vulnerable and needy citizens in their service areas.

Budweiser Made in America is the first ticket-for-purchase event held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  Construction of the concert venue will begin on August 23.  Construction will cause minimal interruption to motorists up until August 30, at which time street closures and parking restrictions around the Parkway area will begin and run through September 3.

Access to the venue is limited to Festival ticket-holders only.  Mayor Nutter stressed that tickets for both days of the Festival are still available. Festival goers are urged to purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com.  Approximately 50,000 ticket-holders will enjoy the Festival each day.  Attendees are encouraged to visit www.MadeInAmericaFest.com for information on items that are (and are NOT) permitted in the venue, as well as information on concessions, accommodations, and directions.

“The City of Philadelphia has extensive institutional experience in managing large events on the Parkway and other sites in the city. Every year, we have detailed plans for public safety, street access, trash removal and we successfully accommodate 400,000 to 500,000 visitors on the 4th of July at Wawa Welcome America,” the Mayor said. “By contrast, the organizers of the Budweiser Made in America Festival are planning for about 50,000 ticket holders, roughly the size of a sold-out Phillies game.”

The Mayor emphasized that Center City and the Parkway in particular are large enough and city services are efficient and targeted enough to handle thousands of visitors at the same time. “Whether you are going to the Festival or you want to visit our museums and other institutions on the Parkway, this Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia will be a great, fun-filled time for everyone,” he said.

 

Road Closures

To accommodate the venue construction and two-day music festival, road closures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in key sections of the Fairmount neighborhood will begin on Thursday, August 30, with increasing closures up until the start of the Festival on the morning of Saturday, September 1. These closures will continue through Monday, September 3 to accommodate breakdown of the venue.

Delays can be expected and motorists are advised to use alternate routes, and allow for extra driving time, in the areas near these festivities before and during Labor Day weekend. (Please see attached list and map for specific road closures by date and a foot print of event or visit www.phila.gov.)

 

Transportation

SEPTA and NJTransit will operate under normal weekend schedules.  Festival ticket-holders, Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or recreational plans are urged to use public transportation to get in and out of Center City during the festival weekend due to the number of road closures.  For routes and schedules, visit www.septa.org and www.njtransit.org.

Cultural Institutions

Most of the institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will maintain normal hours of operation during the Budweiser Made in America Festival.  Please refer to the institutions’ websites for information on exhibit hours, ticketing and parking accommodations.

Public Safety

The City of Philadelphia will provide a comprehensive police presence for the duration of Budweiser Made in America to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.  Three Philadelphia Police beacons will be positioned outside the festival, showing where Philadelphia Police Officers are deployed to assist festival goers.  These beacons will be on the northeast corner of 17th Street and the Parkway, the southeast corner of 18th and the Parkway, and the western entrance to Logan Circle between 19th and 20th Streets. (Please see attached map for locations of beacons as well as the joint Police/EMS/Fire Mini-Station or visit www.phila.gov.)

 Weather

Budweiser Made in America is a rain or shine event.  In the event of severe weather, listen for announcements and sign up at www.readynotifypa.org for text and email alerts or text PHILA to 411911 from your mobile device.  Have a plan if you’re asked to leave the Parkway and take shelter.

The City will provide more details on the Festival in the coming days.

bookmark_borderFamilies Cautioned About Internet Safety as New School Year Begins

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HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have made two arrests, including a Bucks County man who allegedly propositioned an undercover agent who was using the online identity of a teenage girl and traveled to meet the “girl” for sex, along with an Allegheny County man accused of sending sexually graphic webcam videos to what he believed was a 14-year old girl.

Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendants as Amitkumar P. Manvar, age 28, of 3241 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, Bucks County and Robert Adam Kaduck II, age 27, of 991 Thompson Run Road, Harwick, Allegheny County.

Kelly cautioned parents to regularly discuss Internet safety with their children, especially as a new school year begins. She noted that these two most recent arrests highlight the types of dangers children can face online, including a suspect who allegedly arranged a meeting for sex less than a day after making initial online contact, along with another man accused of sending extremely graphic webcam videos of various sex acts soon after approaching an undercover agent who was using the profile of a 14-year old girl.

“Predators will take advantage of any available opportunity to identify and communicate with potential victims,” Kelly said. “The start of a new school year results in new activities, new friends and new schedules for young teens, and may extend the amount of time they are left unsupervised, either before or after school.”
Amitkumar P. Manvar

Kelly said that Manvar allegedly used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit on August 22nd, identifying himself as a 27-year old from the Bensalem area. During that initial conversation Manvar asked the “girl” if her mother was home and if she had a boyfriend.

According to the criminal complaint, Manvar contacted the agent again the following morning, stating, “I am coming to your area,” and explained the sex acts he wished to perform if they could meet.

A short time after that online chat, Manvar allegedly arrived at a predetermined meeting location in Montgomery County, driving a car that matched the description he provided online.  When he arrived at the meeting location Manvar allegedly exited his vehicle and waved to a female undercover agent who was waiting nearby.

Manvar is charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor (related to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse), a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Additionally, Manvar is charged with one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Manvar was preliminarily arraigned before Collegeville Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar and lodged in the Montgomery County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.  He was also ordered to surrender his Indian passport and is prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with minors.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 29th, at 1:30 p.m., before Magisterial District Judge Rebar.

Kelly thanked the Lower Providence Township Police Department for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Manvar will be prosecuted in Montgomery County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Robert Adam Kaduck II

Kelly said that Kaduck allegedly used an online chat service to approach an undercover agent on July 16th, initially identifying himself as a 20-year old.  During their initial online conversation Kaduck allegedly requested photos of the undercover agent and sent pictures of himself in what Kaduck described as “girly slutt outfits.”

According to the criminal complaint, Kaduck engaged in a series of sexually graphic online chats over the next several days and also sent a number of explicit webcam videos which showed him engaging in various sex acts.  Kaduck also allegedly proposed traveling to Harrisburg, where he believed the undercover agent lived.

Kaduck was arrested in Allegheny County on August 23rd by agents from the Child Predator Unit and transported to Harrisburg after waiving extradition.

Kaduck is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene and sexual materials or performances) and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Kaduck was preliminarily arraigned in Dauphin County Night Court and lodged in the Dauphin County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 31st before Magisterial district Judge Steven M. Semic.

Kaduck will be prosecuted in Dauphin County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Internet Safety

Kelly noted that the Child Predator Unit has made 311 arrests since it was created in 2005.

Kelly urged parents to regularly discuss Internet safety and security issues with their children, including the importance of telling a trusted adult if someone engages in inappropriate online activity, such as:

  • Sexual discussions.
  • Sending or requesting nude photos or explicit videos.
  • Sharing links to pornography.
  • Trying to arrange face-to-face meetings.

Additionally, Kelly said parents and other caregivers should also monitor how kids are using the Internet, including:

  • Checking the websites they use frequently.
  • Searching the social networking sites they visit.
  • Asking them to show you their online profiles on Facebook and other websites.
  • Discussing the items they may be posting online.

Kelly also encouraged parents to stress the importance of not sharing personal information online, like full names, ages, addresses, phone numbers and school information, and added that children should always be especially cautious about strangers who approach them online.

Suspected internet predators can be reported to the Attorney General’s Office by clicking on the “Report a Predator” link, located on the front page of the Attorney General’s website, or by calling the toll-free Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

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Editors’ Note:
Photos of the defendants are attached below.
Click here to view the criminal complaint for Amitkumar P. Manvar.
Click here to view the criminal complaint for Robert A. Kaduck II.
If you have trouble viewing these items contact the Attorney General’s Press Office at 717-787-5211.

bookmark_border25 Charged In Philadelphia

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HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation have filed criminal charges against 25 individuals allegedly linked to the trafficking of prescription pills, cocaine and marijuana in the greater Philadelphia area, including at least three dealers accused of selling prescription pills on and around university campuses in the region.

Attorney General Linda Kelly said the arrests are the result of an eight month long investigation involving drug trafficking in southeastern Pennsylvania. Evidence and testimony was presented before a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges that were filed today.

The grand jury found that Thomas Donnelly, of Exton, was a central figure in the organization. Donnelly allegedly distributed powerful prescription pills and other drugs to numerous other dealers and buyers throughout Chester and Montgomery counties, along with Philadelphia and the state of Delaware.

Between September 2011 and March 2012 the investigation revealed that Donnelly and his associates distributed over 700 prescription pills, including OxyContin, Oxycodone and Xanax, along with cocaine and marijuana. The criminal enterprise allegedly generated a profit of $2,000 to $3,000 per week for Donnelly.

Kelly said that Donnelly allegedly obtained the drugs from several main sources: Frank Allison, of Philadelphia; Luis Cubilette, of Philadelphia; Dimitrios Soublis, of Exton; and John Long, of West Chester.

According to the grand jury, Allison served as a source for prescription pills; Cubilette allegedly supplied pills, cocaine and marijuana; Soublis was a source for marijuana and Long occasionally provided prescription pills.

Kelly noted that the investigation into this drug organization initially began as an investigation by the West Chester Police Department into alleged cocaine sales by Thomas Donnelly in that community. The grand jury investigation also included a January 2012 traffic stop of Donnelly’s car by Pennsylvania State Police, which resulted in the discovery of prescription pills, cocaine, marijuana, cash and drug paraphernalia.

According to the grand jury, intercepted telephone calls and surveillance identified numerous individuals involved in the redistribution of drugs for Donnelly, including: Bradley White, Travas Quail-Murrey, Zachery Rosenn, Gregory Mina, Damean Robinson, John Griffy, Michael Anton Warren, Brent Biddle, Brandon Jones and Andre Carter.

Kelly said that intercepted phone calls and grand jury testimony indicated that Donnelly would use these dealers to redistribute drugs to various customers, making arrangements regarding price and delivery method depending on his personal relationship with each dealer.

The grand jury found that three of the dealers linked to the Donnelly organization were involved in the sale of drugs on or around various university campuses.

Zachery Rosenn allegedly ordered bulk quantities of prescription pills for resale on the West Chester University campus; Dominique Simmons, of Philadelphia, was allegedly involved in the sale of pills at Cheney University; and Roman Shekhtman, of Huntingdon Valley, was allegedly involved in the sale of pills on the campus of Temple University. During the course of the investigation, all three allegedly conducted on-campus drug sales to confidential informants or undercover agents.

Kelly said that others linked to the organization, including Christina Bannister and Hayley Ninnis, allegedly drove Donnelly to various drug transactions in exchange for cash, gas money and/or marijuana.

Investigators also identified six other individuals who allegedly purchased drugs from Donnelly for their own personal use, including Thomas Best, Mark Mitchell, Charles Proctor, Chris Giuliano, Ryan Brennan and Ryan Filiaggi.

The criminal charges were filed today before West Chester Magisterial District Judge Mark Bruno.

The defendants will be prosecuted in Chester County by Chief Deputy Attorney General Andrew M. Rongaus and Deputy Attorney General Katherine Corbett Gibson of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section.

Kelly thanked Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), Pennsylvania State Police, West Chester Police Department, West Goshen Police Department, Westtown East Goshen Regional Police Department, Coatesville PD, East Whiteland Township PD, Philadelphia Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (Philadelphia Office), West Chester University Police and Cheney University Police for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Below is a list of the defendants and the charges filed against them:

Thomas Donnelly, 33, 341 Kidwelly Court, Exton,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility; dealing in unlawful proceeds and violations of the uniform firearms act.

Frank Allison, 46, 1808 South 28th St., Philadelphia,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Luis Cubilette, 30, 3012 McKinley St., Philadelphia,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Dimitrios Soublis, 32, 103 Bridle Lane, Exton, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

John Long, 615 Downingtown Pike, West Chester,is charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Zachary Rosenn, 21, 2270 Jefferson Lane, Huntingdon Valley, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Brent Biddle, 38, 65 Foxview Road, Honey Brook,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.

Andre Carter, of Wilmington, Delaware,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

John Griffy, 27, 75 West Lancaster Ave., Downingtown,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Brandon Jones, 29, 25 South High St., West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Gregory Mina, 24, 287 Cotswold Lane, West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Travas Quail-Murrey, 22, 146 Weedon Court, West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Damean Robinson, 34, 601 Downingtown Pike, West Chester, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Michael Antwon Warren, 33, 2 Ingleside Drive, Thorndale, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Bradley White, 22, 944 Elmwood Ave., West Chester, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; criminal conspiracy and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Roman Shekhtman, 22, 151 Roy Lane, Huntingdon Valley, is charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Dominique Simmons, 20, 141 Durham St., Philadelphia, is charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Christina Bannister, 22, 480 Cassatt Court, West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility; dealing in unlawful proceeds and false reports to law enforcement authorities.

Hayley Ninnis, 32, 826 Jefferson Way, West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Thomas Best, 30, 305 South Parkway, Broomall, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Ryan Brennan, 29, 1009 Ridgewood Lane, West Chester,is charged possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Ryan Filiaggi, 31, 105 Bellevue Road, Coatesville,is charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Chris Giuliano, 35, 11 Cherry St., Downingtown, is charged possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Mark Mitchell, 42, 1136 Stirling St., Coatesville,is charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Charles Proctor, 28, 5200 Hilltop Drive, Brookhaven, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

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Editors’ Note:
Photos of the defendants are attached below.
Click here to view the grand jury presentment.
If you have trouble viewing these items contact the Attorney General’s Press Office at 717-787-5211.