Thursday, November 29, 2012
Troy Dudas, 36, formerly of Limerick, entered an open guilty plea in Montgomery County court Thursday, facing 12 years in prison. David Penna, 36, of Hatfield, also pleaded guilty to lesser offenses and avoids jail time
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Thursday, November 29, 2012
Two more drug kingpins in the Montgomery County methamphetamine ringhave pleaded guilty to their crimes. Troy Dudas, 36, formerly of Limerick, and David Penna, 36, of the 1300 block of Cabin Road, Hatfield Township, both pleaded guilty Thursday to their involvement in the ring, according to Peg Gibbons of The Intelligencer. David Penna, however, will not face jail time — he received a four-year probation after pleading guilty to lesser offense. According to Gibbons, Dudas entered an open guilty plea, throwing himself on the mercy of the court. He faces up to 12 years in prison. Two other kingpins have already pleaded guilty in Montgomery County court: Francesco “Frank” Messina, of Upper Gwynedd, and David Penna’s brother, Jeffrey Penna, 42…
Friday, October 12, 2012
Francesco "Frank" Messina, 43, of Upper Gwynedd, is headed to county trial for allegedly bilking three people out of a motorcycle or a refund
An Upper Gwynedd man headed to trial for allegedly helping to run a multicounty organized methamphetamine ring was in court again, this time for numerous alleged fraudulent motorcycle sales. Francesco “Frank” Messina, 43, of the 600 block of Garfield Avenue, West Point, is charged with six counts of felony theft by deception and two counts of felony deceptive business practices, according to Dan Sokil of The Reporter. According to the article, Messina waived his hearing Thursday at Lansdale District Court. There, Messina, talked to alleged victims on how to make up for lost money or bikes, according to the article. According to the article, a man reported a possible theft to Lansdale Police on March 20 related to the sale of a Harley-…
Thursday, May 24, 2012
A third preliminary hearing will occur June 6 at District Judge Andrea Duffy. Three suspects charged in the case are not in custody
Four suspects busted May 8 in a methamphetamine trafficking ring across Philadelphia and Montgomery counties waived charges against them to county court during a preliminary hearing Thursday before District Judge Andrea Duffy in Montgomeryville. One of the "big players," according to Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Jason Whalley, is Francesco "Frank" Messina, of 719 Schwab Road, Hatfield Township. Messina waived all charges to county court July 5. Messina, feet and hands shackled, shuffled into the courtroom with his head down in a blue Montgomery County Prison jumpsuit. He was represented by attorney Sean Cullen. Whalley withdrew two felony charges against Messina from an initial arrest and lumped them into the charges …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Councilman Mike Sobel, chairman of the public safety committee, asked for a congratulatory applause for Lansdale Police for doing what they are supposed to do
As part of National Police Week, councilman Mike Sobel, who chairs the public safety committee in Lansdale, commended Lansdale Police for its efforts in busting a meth lab on Blaine Street. "We all look for vindication in our lives," Sobel said Wednesday night at the council meeting. "It's a personal thing with me with our police department. When I was elected to council and selected to be on the public safety committee, I met with the chief. We talked about a lot of things and the one thing was they needed some help over there." Sobel said the council and administration stepped up and got the police the help that they needed in the department and also invested in some equipment for them. "In honor of National Police Week, if everybody saw…
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
A second preliminary hearing for the remaining suspects is set for May 24 before District Judge Andrea Duffy
At the District Court of Judge Andrea Duffy Wednesday morning, 12 of the 32 suspects arrested May 8 in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring waived all charges against them to a July 5 arraignment in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Jason Whalley said a preliminary hearing will be held May 24 at 10:45 a.m. for the remaining 20 suspects, including what he called the "big players": Francesco "Frank" Messina, Dave Penna and Jeff Penna. The suspects are facing numerous felony charges and misdemeanor charges, including corrupt organizations; manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activites; …
