LAS VEGAS — A Nevada man admitted in federal court Thursday to orchestrating a multimillion-dollar investment fraud scheme, defrauding victims of more than $6.1 million over six years. Mykalai Kontilai,…
NEWNAN, Ga. — A Virginia man has pleaded guilty to trafficking large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other narcotics through Georgia, while his co-defendant admitted to concealing a felony,…
TUCSON, Ariz. — A former Santa Cruz County treasurer admitted Thursday to orchestrating a decade-long embezzlement scheme in which she stole more than $38 million in public funds, laundered the…
Former Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment
**Toms River, NJ** – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Douglas Bollinger, a 57-year-old resident of Neptune City, pled guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child on Monday. The plea was entered before Judge Dina M. Vicari and is linked to incidents that occurred in 2019.
Bollinger is scheduled for sentencing on January 10, 2025, where he will face Parole Supervision for Life. Additionally, he will be subject to Megan’s Law and Nicole’s Law, which will permanently prohibit him from contacting his victim. He will also permanently forfeit future public employment and teaching certifications in New Jersey.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit revealed that between February and August 2019, while serving as a teacher at the Ocean County Performing Arts Academy, Bollinger engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a student. Incidents occurred in Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park.
Bollinger was apprehended without incident on August 15 by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force. He was held at Ocean County Jail but released under New Jersey Bail Reform. Prosecut
Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Arson
**Queens, NY** – Evan Person has pleaded guilty to second-degree arson after setting fire to cars and a home in South Ozone Park, critically injuring two people. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the plea, noting Person’s actions over a span of less than an hour which endangered lives and resulted in significant injuries to the home’s occupants.
District Attorney Katz expressed gratitude to the FDNY Fire Marshals for their role in the case. FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker highlighted the danger posed to New Yorkers and FDNY members by Person’s acts, commending the efforts of all involved for ensuring public safety.
Person, a resident of Linden Boulevard aged 35, was indicted on multiple charges. These included two counts each of first-degree arson and criminal mischief, along with burglary and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded guilty before Justice Toni Cimino on Tuesday and faces a 15-year prison sentence starting early January.
The incident, occurring on July 4, involved video evidence of Person lighting a BMW on fire, which subsequently damaged another vehicle, followed by an attack on a nearby home. The ensuing fire injured two individuals who were asleep in the basement
MAYS LANDING, NJ — Eric Williams, a 56-year-old resident of Atlantic City, has admitted to first-degree aggravated sexual assault in a plea held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The guilty…
Dr. Kenneth Fishberger, a 75-year-old internist from East Setauket, New York, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to conspiring to commit health care fraud. Fishberger admitted to accepting kickbacks for…
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Angel Nunez, 57, formerly of Troy, N.Y., pleaded guilty Tuesday to 15 indictments stemming from his involvement in an organized theft ring targeting Berkshire Bank locations last…
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.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Manchester man has pleaded guilty to attempted murder in connection with a January 2023 stabbing that left a female victim seriously injured, the Ocean County…
Spring Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Minor
**Spring Valley, NY** – Luis Quinac-Morales, 41, from Spring Valley, New York, has pled guilty to Course of Sexual Conduct in the First Degree. This plea was entered on Wednesday before Judge Anne B. Bianchi in Rockland County Court.
Since 2016, Quinac-Morales engaged in repeated sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl in Spring Valley. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II confirmed the charges, highlighting the abuse involved sexual intercourse.
District Attorney Walsh expressed commitment to protecting children with resources and collaboration from law enforcement at various levels. The investigation involved the Spring Valley Police Department and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations and Special Victims units.
Quinac-Morales pled guilty before a jury trial could commence. He faces a nine-year state prison term with a 20-year post-release supervision and mandatory sex offender registration. Sentencing is set for January 14, 2025.
WALLKILL, N.Y. — A former financial secretary of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Wallkill has pled guilty to grand larceny charges for embezzling $17,947 from the fire company’s parade…
ALBANY, N.Y. — Patrick Civitello, 18, of Schenectady, New York, pleaded guilty on October 28 to witness retaliation, admitting he assaulted a 15-year-old boy in retaliation for the boy’s mother…
FREEHOLD, N.J. — A Bergen County man has admitted to stalking two victims as part of a case connected to a violent 2017 home invasion in Holmdel, the Monmouth County…
GREENSBURG, Pa. — A Saltsburg man has pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle in connection with a fatal accident that claimed the life of a Blairsville resident on Route 22…
Wall Township Resident Pleads Guilty to Motor Vehicle Theft
**Toms River, NJ** – Jaquel Accoo, 29, from Wall Township, pled guilty to motor vehicle theft and witness tampering. This plea was made in the presence of Judge David M. Fritch, J.S.C., in relation to an incident in Toms River in October 2023. At his sentencing on January 3, 2025, the state will recommend a five-year prison term for each charge to run concurrently in New Jersey State Prison.
An individual reported his motor vehicle stolen on October 14, 2023, at the Toms River Township Police Headquarters. The investigation revealed that Accoo had not returned the borrowed vehicle and had sold it to an individual in Georgia. This led to a theft charge being filed against Accoo on November 22, 2023.
A warrant was issued for Accoo’s arrest, and he was placed in the National Crime Information Center database. The New York/New Jersey United States Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force, along with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended Accoo in Red Bank on January 22, 2024. He was released under New Jersey Bail Reform after being
MAYS LANDING, N.J. – Rashaun Williams, 39, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty on Friday to charges of third-degree aggravated assault and fourth-degree possession of a weapon by a certain person.…
NEWARK, N.J. — A Brooklyn man admitted his involvement in a conspiracy to commit child sex trafficking, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Soauib Butcher, 30,…
TAMPA, FL – Christina Lynn Morris, a 46-year-old resident of Plant City, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, as announced by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Morris…
HANOVER, Md. — Michel Osei, 48, of Hanover, pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal dumping and abandonment of over 250,000 scrap tires at a site in Allegany County,…
FORT MYERS, Fla. — An elderly Naples couple pleaded guilty Tuesday to a scheme involving stolen merchandise that netted them over $175,000 in sales through their eBay store, federal prosecutors…
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Charles Sharkey Jr., 35, of Jackson Township, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated, and illegal possession of a firearm in connection with two separate…
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Quamel Benton, 36, of Farmingdale, pleaded guilty Monday to multiple charges, including attempted kidnapping, two counts of eluding, and criminal sexual contact, according to Ocean County…
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Leonard R. Contreras, 26, of Hopelawn, pleaded guilty on Friday to first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, according to a joint statement from the Hunterdon County…
WASHINGTON — A New York man pleaded guilty on Friday to a felony charge of civil disorder in connection with the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, where…