Felony

Priest Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft of Church Donations

Breaking Local News Report0154 views

Priest Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft of Church Donations

**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that George Athanasiou, a Washington County-based priest, has pleaded guilty to felony theft. Athanasiou was charged with misappropriating hundreds of church donation checks, which he signed and deposited via ATM transactions for personal use.

Athanasiou, 37, served as a priest at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg when he illicitly signed, endorsed, and deposited the checks. On Wednesday, he appeared in Washington County Court and paid $155,000 in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.

The investigation by the Office of Attorney General revealed over 200 unauthorized ATM transactions involving the church’s donation checks from 2022 to 2023. Video evidence demonstrated Athanasiou endorsing and depositing these checks via ATM. During a police interview, the priest admitted to stealing and endorsing checks without permission.

Attorney General Henry condemned the actions, emphasizing that the priest betrayed parishioners by stealing funds meant for the church community. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry.

Read more

Lignum Man Faces Felony Charge After Arrest

Breaking Local News Report0128 views

Lignum Man Faces Felony Charge After Arrest

**Stafford, VA** – A man from Lignum, aged 36, has been charged with a felony for possessing controlled substances following an incident at a local inn.

On Tuesday at around 10:30 p.m., Sergeant B.U. Demirci and Deputy C.R. Newman were called to America’s Best Value Inn on Warrenton Road. Reports indicated a shirtless male acting erratically, leading officers to find him near the I-95 interchange. The man was identified as Bennie Smith.

Smith admitted to being at the inn but claimed he was headed to a different motel on Warrenton Road. Showing signs of intoxication, Smith was consequently arrested and taken to Rappahannock Regional Jail.

At the jail, Smith dropped a small object with a white powder while changing into jail attire. Officers and Smith scrambled for the object, which Smith attempted to ingest. Deputy Newman intervened to secure both Smith and the substance. Smith has been charged with public intoxication, felony evidence destruction, and obstruction of justice. His initial hold was replaced with a $5,000 secured bond.

Read more

Car Thief Facing Felony Charges in Newark

Breaking Local News Report0250 views

Delaware Man Arrested on Felony Charges

**Newark, DE** – Delaware State Police have arrested 51-year-old Elvis Cruz of Newark, Delaware, for multiple felony charges related to investigations of a stolen vehicle and a robbery.

On October 15 at approximately 9:20 a.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery at Walgreens on Ogletown-Stanton Road in Newark. On October 9, a suspect broke a display case, stole merchandise, and threatened a Walgreens employee. No weapon was displayed, and nobody was harmed.

Through investigations, troopers identified Cruz as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On October 27 at around 3:32 p.m., police responded to a vehicle theft at Christiana Hospital on Ogletown-Stanton Road. Surveillance and a computer check identified Cruz, who also had a No Contact Order with the hospital.

Troopers found the stolen Toyota Corolla near Cruz’s residence and apprehended him without incident. Cruz was charged with first-degree robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, noncompliance with bond conditions, and criminal mischief under $1,000.

Read more

Lewes Man Arrested for Felony Drug Charges

Breaking Local News Report0198 views

Lewes Man Arrested for Felony Drug Charges

**Lewes, DE** – Delaware State Police arrested Byard Widdoes, age 39, from Lewes, Delaware, on Thursday for felony drug charges.

Troopers responded on Thursday at approximately 7:21 a.m. to a report of an unconscious man at the Wawa located on 17663 Dartmouth Drive in Lewes. They found Widdoes slumped over the steering wheel of a maroon Nissan Rogue. Upon waking, Widdoes did not require medical care but was confused and repeatedly put his hands in his pockets despite instructions not to.

Widdoes was detained and searched, which led to the discovery of drugs and drug paraphernalia. A computer check revealed existing capias warrants for his arrest. During the search, troopers found various substances including powder cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, liquid methamphetamine, liquid testosterone, heroin, and several prescription pills.

Widdoes was taken to Troop 7, where he faced multiple charges including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and is currently held at Sussex Correctional

Read more