PITTSBURGH, PA – Charges have been filed against Scott Playford of Renfrew, PA, after a firearm was found in his backpack at Pittsburgh International Airport. The incident occurred at 2:29 PM on May 21, 2024, when Transportation Security Administration officers at the airport’s main security checkpoint detected the handgun and promptly alerted Allegheny County Police.
Playford, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen residing legally in Pennsylvania, was identified as the backpack’s owner. He does not hold a concealed carry permit and now faces a misdemeanor charge for carrying a firearm without a license. Following the discovery, the firearm was seized, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified of the incident.
The Transportation Security Administration warns that passengers who bring firearms to airport security checkpoints could face federal civil fines up to $10,000, with fines for repeat offenders reaching as high as $13,910.
- Police say Bristol man engaged in explicit chats with undercover profile
Bristol man arrested in undercover investigation into attempted contact with minor
BRISTOL, PA — A 54-year-old man has been arrested after police say he engaged in sexually explicit conversations online with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl, then attempted to avoid capture by hiding inside his apartment.
According to investigators, the case began on March 21 when George Shetzline, of Park Avenue in Bristol, contacted an undercover profile on a social media dating app. Believing he was communicating with a juvenile, Shetzline allegedly sent explicit messages and photographs and discussed meeting the child at Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem. Police confirmed that no child was ever at risk during the investigation.
Bensalem Police obtained an arrest warrant charging Shetzline with attempted unlawful contact with a minor, dissemination of explicit sexual material to minors, and criminal use of a communication facility.
After failing to surrender, officers from Bensalem and Bristol Township went to Shetzline’s home. His girlfriend initially told officers he was not there, but a search revealed Shetzline hiding behind a couch. He was taken into custody without incident.
Police said charges of hindering apprehension are pending against the girlfriend for allegedly concealing his presence from authorities.
Shetzline was arraigned by District Justice Charles Jonas and committed to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $750,000 bail.
- Bethlehem man arrested in Bensalem sting targeting child predator
Bensalem, PA – A 31-year-old Bethlehem man is behind bars after police said he attempted to meet what he believed was a 13-year-old girl for sex following weeks of explicit online conversations.
Investigators said David Sheregi began communicating on Sept. 6 with someone he thought was an eighth-grade girl. During the exchanges, Sheregi allegedly sent explicit photos, described sexual acts he wanted to perform, and even introduced the idea of a second man joining the encounter. Police said he later agreed to meet the child at her home in Bensalem on Sept. 24.
When Sheregi arrived, detectives moved in. No child was ever at risk during the operation, according to authorities.
Bensalem Township Detectives obtained a warrant charging Sheregi with attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, attempted sexual assault of a minor, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual abuse of children, corruption of minors, and related offenses. Bethlehem police arrested him at his residence, and he was later transferred to Bensalem police custody on Oct. 1.
Sheregi was arraigned by District Justice Joseph Falcone and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $4 million bail.
- Fatal head-on crash leads to guilty plea and jail time in Derry Township
Blairsville woman sentenced to jail after pleading guilty in deadly Route 217 crash
GREENSBURG, PA — A Blairsville woman who crossed into oncoming traffic, causing a fatal crash that killed another driver, has pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle and will serve time in jail, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.
Ashley Kelley, 33, entered the plea Monday before Common Pleas Judge Michael Stewart, admitting responsibility for the February 2024 crash on Route 217 in Derry Township that took the life of Regina Endress, an Indiana County resident. The crash occurred when Kelley’s van veered across the center line and struck Endress’ vehicle head-on.
Kelley told responding troopers that by the time she realized she was in the wrong lane, it was too late to avoid the collision.
Initially, Kelley faced several charges including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, reckless driving, and recklessly endangering another person. However, the DUI-related charge was later withdrawn. Investigators said a drug recognition expert determined there was not enough marijuana in Kelley’s system to impair her ability to drive at the time of the crash.
As part of the plea agreement, Kelley was sentenced to serve a term of one year less a day to two years less a day in jail — a sentence that places her in a county facility rather than state prison.
The case is now closed following the court proceedings.
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Key Points
- Ashley Kelley, 33, pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle in a February crash that killed another driver
- Investigators ruled out DUI impairment, leading to dismissal of that specific charge
- Kelley received a county jail sentence of one to two years minus one day