The Roundup

A weekly tab on what's going on 
in the courts.

By Shealyn Kilroy
for BigTrial.net

Philadelphia District Attorney:

The gunman who shot Officer Jesse Hartnett on Jan. 7 in the “name of Islam” is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25, according to the district attorney’s office. Edward Archer, 30, from Yeadon told detectives, "I follow Allah. I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State, and that's why I did what I did," according to Homicide Capt. James Clark. The investigation is still pending on whether Archer had direct ties to ISIS or acted on his own. The story has furthered a national conversation around what can be defined as terrorism. Philadelphia’s new mayor, Jim Kenney, said he believed the shooting “has nothing to do with Islam.”

Retired Philadelphia Police Department mounted cop Walter Sasse, 75, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a girl beginning when she was 15. Sasse is scheduled to make an appearance in court on Jan. 27, according to the District Attorney’s office.The two-and-a-half year relationship allegedly occurred at Courtesy Stables in Andorra where Sasse and the victim worked, according to authorities. Sasse retired in 1991 after 20 years with the force. According to the docket, Sasse was arrested on March 6, 2014 and will stand trial for eight charges, including engaging in anal or oral intercourse (IDSI) with a person less than 16-years-old and indecent assault of someone less than 16-years-old.



U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania:

Jan. 26 - Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s senior services provider Catholic Health Care Services has agreed to resolve allegations relating to resident care at two nursing homes, St. Monica Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare and St. Monica Manor in South Philadelphia, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has agreed to improve, or has already improved, care in relation to physician orders; wound care and pressure ulcers; medication administration; documentation of care; and transfer and toileting of residents. The Archdiocese will pay up $80,000 in addition to the agreement to improve care. St. Monica Manor in South Philadelphia, along with other nursing homes, were sold in 2014 to Center Management Group (CMG) in a $145 million dollar deal. According to the Archdiocese, CMG is supposed to “operate each facility in accordance with the moral, ethical and social teachings of the Catholic Church” when the 2014 transaction was made.

Pennsylvania Attorney General:

Alden Shallcross Clark, 28, of Franklin County was arrested on Jan. 27 on charges for distributing and possessing child pornography, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office. During an online investigation by the Office of Attorney General Predator Section and West York Borough Police Department, a computer that traced back to Clark was identified as having “investigative interest.” While executing a search warrant of Clark’s residence, officers seized a computer that forensic investigators found child porn on related files. Clark is charged with 16 counts of possession of child pornography and one count each of distribution of child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility. Clark failed to post $100,000 bail and is being held at Franklin County Prison. A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Feb. 2, according to Attorney General’s office.


U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey:

Schirmer Monestime, 39, of Elizabeth, N.J. was sentenced to 63 months in prison on Jan. 26 for conspiracy to smuggle approximately three kilos of cocaine into the U.S. from Haiti. During a routine check of incoming mail from Haiti, feds found six large picture frames filled a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine in a package addressed to Bobby Lewis, 59. The cocaine was replaced with fake cocaine and then delivered by an undercover cop to Lewis. Surveillance displayed Lewis in a parking lot awaiting Monestime arrival, he did not show but planned to pick up the package, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Monestime was also sentenced to a three year supervised released in addition to his prison sentence. Charges against Lewis are still pending, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.



Shealyn Kilroy can be reached at shealyn@bigtrial.net.