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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.

bookmark_borderPhiladelphia Caseworkers Charged

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HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Public Corruption Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigation have arrested two Philadelphia area residents accused of using their positions with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to steal nearly $300,000 in public assistance benefits.

Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendants as Cynthia A. Lewis, age 47 of 16 Oxford St., Lansdowne, and Ivan Jones, age 43, of 1411 South Etting St., Philadelphia. Both Lewis and Jones worked as Income Maintenance Caseworkers at the Department of Public Welfare’s Delaware County Assistance Office, located in Darby.

Public assistance benefits are intended to aid Pennsylvania residents struggling to feed and support their families,” Kelly said. “These individuals not only corrupted that system and stole taxpayer funds for their own personal gain, but literally took money and food from the mouths of families in need.”

Kelly said these arrests are the result of an ongoing investigation by the Office of Attorney General into allegations of theft and fraud involving public assistance benefits in Pennsylvania. The charges announced today were recommended by a statewide investigation grand jury, which heard evidence and testimony about criminal activity involving state employees responsible for authorizing and administrating cash assistance, food stamps and other taxpayer funded benefits.

According to the grand jury, Cynthia Lewis fabricated and maintained six public assistance accounts and approved more than $250,000 in public assistance benefits for those bogus accounts. The funding that Lewis authorized was purportedly for food stamps, medical benefits and “special cash allowances” needed to cover other expenses for the recipients.

Kelly said the payments arranged by Lewis were placed on state-issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used much like ATM cards at businesses and banks. Photographs and video from surveillance systems at various financial institutions in the Philadelphia area allegedly show Lewis using EBT cards to withdraw funds from those accounts.

The grand jury determined that between 2007 and 2011 Lewis received more than $254,000 as a result of this criminal scheme. The stolen funds were allegedly for a variety of personal expenses, including two cruises along with gambling trips to casinos in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Kelly said that Ivan Jones is accused of operating a separate scheme – using the names and personal information of several existing public assistance recipients to open new cases and authorize payments to those individuals. Unbeknownst to those persons, EBT cards for those accounts were sent to various locations in Delaware County, including Jones’ personal address. Images from surveillance systems at various ATM machines and banks allegedly show Jones using EBT cards to withdraw funds from those accounts.

Additionally, the grand jury found that Jones made arrangements with at least two other public assistance recipients to increase the amount of their benefits or authorize new payments if those individuals agreed to split the proceeds with Jones.

Kelly said that between 2007 and 2011 Jones allegedly stole nearly $39,000 as the result of these schemes.

Kelly noted that the Attorney General’s investigation into the alleged misuse or theft of taxpayer funds is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.

Cynthia Lewis is charged with one count each of theft by unlawful taking, criminal use of a communication facility, and unlawful use of computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Ivan Jones is charged with five counts of theft by deception, five counts of criminal use of communication facility, five counts of unlawful use of a computer and two counts of criminal conspiracy, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

The defendants were preliminarily arraigned on Tuesday, July 31st, before Darby Magisterial District Judge Leonard V. Tenaglia and released on their own recognizance.

Both defendants waived their preliminary hearings.

Formal arraignment for Lewis is scheduled for August 30th in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

Formal arraignment for Jones is scheduled for August 23rd, also in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

Lewis and Jones will be prosecuted in Delaware County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo of the Attorney General’s Public Corruption Unit.

Kelly thanked the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and Pennsylvania Office of the Inspector General for their cooperation and assistance with this continuing investigation.

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