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Court Bans Contractor from Home Improvement Work in Pennsylvania
Court Bans Contractor from Home Improvement Work in Pennsylvania
**HARRISBURG, PA** – A Luzerne County Judge has prohibited a local contractor from engaging in home improvement services in Pennsylvania and has mandated $79,000 in restitution to affected consumers. Vincent Vince, who owns Independent Construction Builders, LLC, was also penalized $12,000 for breaches of the state’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
The decision followed a three-day trial concerning allegations against Independent Construction Builders for violations under the Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law and the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. Claims centered on uncompleted work, subpar workmanship, and unpaid refunds, as outlined during the proceedings.
Attorney General Michelle Henry emphasized the importance of contractor compliance and the repayment mandate for wronged consumers, highlighting Vince’s failure to abide by industry rules. The ruling aims to safeguard consumers from future misconduct by barring the company from operating in the sector within the state.
Judge Tina Polachek Gartley of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas presided over the trial and ruled in favor of the Commonwealth on all charges. The case, where seven consumers provided testimony, was managed by Deputy Attorney General Matthias Conaty and Senior Deputy Attorney General James Wise.
Man Convicted of Sexual Assault of a Minor in Butler County
Man Convicted of Sexual Assault of a Minor in Butler County
**HARRISBURG, PA** — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the conviction of a Butler County man for sexually assaulting a pre-teen child. The conviction follows charges against 45-year-old Shaun Sheffer, who was accused in 2023 after a Statewide Investigating Grand Jury made recommendations against multiple Jehovah’s Witnesses members.
Sheffer was convicted this week on three counts of rape, including the rape of a person with a mental disability, as well as three counts of indecent assault. His sentencing is scheduled for February.
Attorney General Henry highlighted the vulnerability of the victim based on their age and mental disability. Henry expressed gratitude to the grand jurors, the trial jurors, and the victim for their roles in the proceedings.
The charges were part of the 49th Investigating Grand Jury’s findings, with the abuse occurring between 1995 and 2000 in Butler County. Testimonies revealed that Sheffer was a close acquaintance of the victim, who was between seven and 12 years old during the assaults. The case was led by Senior Deputy Attorney General Alicia Werner.
Mother and Daughter Win $150,000 Powerball Prize
Mother and Daughter Win $150,000 Powerball Prize
**Baltimore, MD** – A mother and daughter from Baltimore County have won a $150,000 Powerball prize during the first drawing of the new year. The win was secured with a $2 Quick Pick ticket purchased at High’s on Maiden Choice Lane in Arbutus, which included a Power Play option for an additional $1.
After purchasing the tickets on January 1, the mother put them away and nearly forgot about them until Sunday arrived, which is the day they usually check their numbers. Upon scanning the tickets, she discovered the message indicating a $150,000 win. In excitement, she shared the news with her daughter.
The winning duo matched four white balls and the red Powerball number. With a three-times Power Play multiplier, their winnings increased from the usual $50,000 to $150,000. They narrowly missed winning the $178 million jackpot by one number.
The pair has already claimed their prize but are undecided about how they will use the funds. They are considering using part of their winnings for a vacation. The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, featuring a jackpot of $331 million with a cash option
Fiorentino Arrested on Gun and Drug Charges in Seaford
Fiorentino Arrested on Gun and Drug Charges in Seaford
**Seaford, DE** – The Delaware State Police have taken 19-year-old Asjmeir Fiorentino into custody for gun and drug-related offenses after a traffic stop in Seaford.
On Monday at around 12:31 p.m., Sussex County Governor’s Task Force members observed Fiorentino’s Ford Edge traveling westbound on Concord Road with a registration issue. Upon stopping the vehicle, they identified Fiorentino and discovered he lacked a valid driver’s license. Detectives detected the scent of burnt marijuana and identified a marijuana cigar in the vehicle’s center cupholder.
Following the initial investigation, Fiorentino was apprehended. A search revealed a Polymer 9mm handgun, extended magazine, multiple rounds of 9mm ammunition, 1.62 grams of crack cocaine, 1.66 grams of marijuana, and various drug paraphernalia.
Fiorentino faces multiple charges, including possession of a firearm during a felony, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of an untraceable firearm. Subsequently arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, he was jailed at Sussex Correctional Institution on a $44,403 bond.
Hit and Run Incident Occurs on Staffordboro Boulevard
Hit and Run Incident Occurs on Staffordboro Boulevard
**Stafford, VA** – On Tuesday at approximately 6:23 p.m., an automatic crash notification alerted the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office to an accident at Staffordboro Boulevard and Woodstream Boulevard. First responders discovered a collision involving a Nissan and a Volkswagen, with both vehicles being totaled. Remarkably, no serious injuries were reported.
Deputies engaged with the driver of the Volkswagen, however, the driver of the Nissan fled the scene. It was reported the Nissan driver exited through the driver’s side window, escaping towards Stafford Market Place. Deputy Vaughn spotted a male and a female nearby, with the male fitting the description of the suspect and the female upset about her vehicle’s condition, prompting an attempt to establish contact.
The male, later identified as Bryant Berryman, 37, of Stafford, falsely stated that the female was driving. Despite multiple attempts to gain compliance, Berryman refused to cooperate, resulting in the use of OC spray for detention. He was found to have a revoked driver’s license and was treated by on-scene Fire and Rescue staff.
Berryman was charged with several offenses including felony hit and run, obstruction of justice, and driving while revoked. He
Albemarle County Police Arrest Suspect in Armed Robbery
Albemarle County Police Arrest Suspect in Armed Robbery
**Charlottesville, VA** – The Albemarle County Police Department has detained a suspect in connection with the armed robbery at the Trading Post convenience store in North Garden. The incident occurred on Monday, December 23.
Dakotah A. Cenno, a 26-year-old resident of Charlottesville, has been charged with three criminal offenses. The charges include robbery under §18.2-58, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon under §18.2-308.2, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony under §18.2-53.1.
Following the arrest, Cenno is being held without the option of bond. He remains in custody at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Further updates and photos related to this case are available on the Albemarle County Police Department’s social media pages.
Monroe Robbery Case Concludes with Final Sentence
Monroe Robbery Case Concludes with Final Sentence
**Goshen, NY** – Isaiah Graham, 22, from Manhattan was sentenced this past Wednesday to five years in prison with three years post-release supervision for his role in an attempted robbery. This sentencing took place in Orange County Court and follows Graham’s guilty plea to Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree. His three co-defendants had already received the same sentences.
The incident occurred on February 28, 2023, when Graham and three masked accomplices entered an AT&T store in Monroe. One of the robbers held the clerk by his neck while another claimed to have a gun, threatening the staff. The group stole various electronics before fleeing, but they were later captured by law enforcement in Mount Vernon, Westchester County.
David M. Hoovler, Orange County District Attorney, credited the collaborative efforts of multiple police departments for the swift arrest of Graham and his accomplices. He expressed gratitude to the Monroe Police Department, the City of Mount Vernon Police, NYPD, and the Westchester County Police for their investigation and assistance.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold is handling the prosecution for the case. As with any criminal charge, Graham’s charge is an allegation
State Securities Regulators Reach Settlement with Vanguard
State Securities Regulators Reach Settlement with Vanguard
**TRENTON, NJ** – The Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs, and Bureau of Securities have announced that New Jersey is part of a $106 million settlement with Vanguard Marketing Corporation and The Vanguard Group, Inc. This settlement involves Vanguard’s failure to supervise registered persons and disclose tax consequences after changes in investment minimums for target date retirement funds.
The settlement follows a three-year investigation by a multistate task force under the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), co-led by New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York. The investigation ran parallel to a similar inquiry by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Vanguard initially offered Institutional and Investor Target Retirement Funds with differing investment minimums. In December 2020, the minimum for Institutional TRFs dropped from $100 million to $5 million, leading many investors to redeem Investor TRF shares for Institutional TRF shares. This shift triggered capital gains taxes for hundreds of thousands of investors in the Investor TRFs, which Vanguard did not disclose.
The SEC will use its Fair Fund program to compensate the affected investors. Vanguard Group, Inc., the parent company of VMC, has not admitted or denied any
Warrant Arrest Executed by Wilkes-Barre Police
Warrant Arrest Executed by Wilkes-Barre Police
**Wilkes-Barre, PA** – A warrant arrest involving Kyle Sutherland, a 30-year-old resident, took place on January 16th, 2025.
Officers from the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department apprehended Sutherland at 11:23 AM. The arrest occurred near the intersection of East Union and North Washington Streets.
The officers discovered during their investigation that Sutherland had an outstanding arrest warrant from the Dickson City Police Department. Subsequently, Sutherland was taken into custody.
He was later handed over to the officers from the Dickson City Police Department for further processing.
Wilkes-Barre Police Arrest Woman on Drug and Public Intoxication Charges
Wilkes-Barre Police Arrest Woman on Drug and Public Intoxication Charges
**Wilkes-Barre, PA** – On January 16th, officers from the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department responded to an incident on South Grant Street involving a woman obstructing the roadway. The incident occurred at 1:48 a.m. in the 100 block of the street.
The woman, identified as 37-year-old Carrie Hiemenz of Wilkes-Barre, was reportedly under the influence of a controlled substance. Her condition was deemed hazardous to her safety, leading officers to detain her.
During the arrest process, officers discovered drug paraphernalia in Hiemenz’s possession. Additionally, there was an outstanding arrest warrant for her from the Luzerne County Sheriff’s Office.
Following the discovery and arrest, Hiemenz was transported to City Headquarters for further processing. Police have charged her with possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.
Robbery on Carey Avenue Under Investigation
Robbery on Carey Avenue Under Investigation
**Wilkes-Barre, PA** – Police have launched an investigation following a reported robbery that occurred on Carey Avenue on January 16th, 2025, at approximately 12:31 AM.
Officers were dispatched to the scene where they spoke with a 21-year-old victim from Plains, Pennsylvania. The victim was purportedly delivering a food order to an apartment building when confronted by an armed suspect.
According to the victim, the suspect emerged from the building, brandishing a handgun from his waistband. He demanded the food order and any money the victim might have.
The victim explained that when he declared he had no money, a second suspect struck him with a closed fist. Both suspects, described as wearing ski masks, took the food order and fled the scene. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
