Weapons Charges Dropped Against Emfinger
The Towamencin man is accused of pulling a knife on a Lansdale resident, running from police and being Tasered after resisting arrest
Towamencin reident Airen Kevin Emfinger, 22, of the 700 block of Weikel Road, had two misdemeanor offenses related to brandishing a weapon dropped by Lansdale Police at his preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon before District Judge Albert Augustine in Skippack.
Emfinger was tasered by a Lansdale Police officer on June 5 following a foot chase across the west ward of the borough after he allegedly pulled a knife on a Lansdale resident on West Mount Vernon Street near Salford Avenue.
A misdemeanor count of use of a prohibited offensive weapon and a misdemeanor count of possessing an instrument of crime were withdrawn by the Commonwealth, represented at the hearing by Lansdale Police Officer Scott Keeler. Keeler was also the arresting officer.
Emfinger was also released on $5,000 unsecured bail, reduced from $5,000 cash bail. If Emfinger fails to appear at his August 1 arraignment at Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, he will be liable for the $5,000.
After the hearing, Emfinger's mother placed a pink towel over her son's head as he was lead from court to an awaiting Lansdale Police vehicle. She and Emfinger's grandmother attempted to shield his view from the Patch photographer camera.
Emfinger's mother and grandmother both expressed confusion and awe that the press was present at Emfinger's hearing.
Emfinger faces the following charges at his arraignment:
- Simple Assault
- Terroristic Threats
- Resisting Arrest
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person
- Harassment
- Disorderly Conduct
- Public Drunkenness (summary charge)
The charges were dropped during a stipulation agreement between Lansdale Police and public defender Fiorindo Vagnozzi.
Vagnozzi said the charges were withdrawn to prevent any witnesses from testifying and to lower Emfinger's bail.
Keeler said the charges were withdrawn following discussion with the affected residents.
"After discussions with the victim and the public defender, we felt it would be the best thing," Keeler said.
Emfinger has had four criminal cases filed in Montgomery County District Court since October 2009, according to court records.
He got off on robbery and burglary charges in 2010 in Souderton Borough, but pleaded guilty to criminal defiant trespassing and was sentenced to 206 days to 12 months in prison, according to court records.
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worldpeace2013
8:53 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
this is what happens when moms and grandmothers BABY grown ass men. He has had 4 counts has a record, burglary?? ok not a good boy AT ALL. the fact that he resists arrest makes me smdh ?? what is he up to... I guess his neighbors where nice and they dropped all charges... mark my words this "good boy" will be back in no time UNTIL he finds something productive to f ing do! MAD hes out with people and not on parole . douche.
big jon
10:55 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
^ agreed
SerenityPeace2012
1:07 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
I agree 100%. As parents we must take responsibility and stop blaming the police and the "system," for everything that goes wrong with our young African American men. Respect for the law and authority starts in the home.
GreenDay67
1:50 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
This is a ridiculous way of managing a menace to society. As a resident of the west ward I fear for the support that the Lansdale police is providing in my neighborhood. Keep your doors locked!
Joe Citizen
10:43 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
“. . . Vagnozzi said the charges were withdrawn to prevent any witnesses from testifying and to lower Emfinger's bail.
"After discussions with the victim and the public defender, we felt it would be the best thing," Keeler said.. . . .”
Really – I would have stood shoulder to shoulder with you my fellow resident of the West Ward. Don’t fear these criminals.
Why is society being soft on these punks? Put them away and let them serve the time for the crime.
Come on, give me a break!
Red Neck
8:28 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Shoot the punks. Fight crime one at a time.