FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Friday, August 28, 2020
 HARRISBURG—Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that a Jamaician national named Kristoff Cain, also known as Patrick Williams, who scammed elderly Pennsylvanians out of millions of dollars has been sentenced to 70 months in prison. Attorney General Shapiro first announced Cain’s charges at a press conference in Pittsburgh in 2018.
“This sentence is justice for the victims of Kristoff Cain scams targeting elderly Pennsylvanians,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “Deceiving and straight out lying to consumers by telling them they have won the lottery or are being investigated by the FBI to force cash out of their wallets is not only a disgusting practice, it’s illegal. My Office is committed to protecting the interests of Pennsylvanians and holding anyone who tricks, scams or defrauds them accountable.”
Cain was scamming elderly citizens from across the country, including Pennsylvania, out of millions of dollars. Cain was operating a scam referred to as the Jamacain lottery scam. The Jamaican Lottery Scam can take different forms. In one version, victims are told they’ve won the lottery and must send “taxes” to collect their winnings. In another version, scam artists are known to impersonate FBI agents to deceive victims into sending money. In another scam, criminals claim they’re IRS agents and the victims owe back taxes to the IRS.
Cain’s operations affected victims in Pennsylvania, but also had co-conspirators based out of Allegheny County including Audrey Huff and Donovan Wallace, who had named Cain as the ringleader of the scams during their arrests. Victims who were scammed by Cain’s Pennsylvania-based co-conspirators include:

• Brighton, Mass: In February 2017, this woman sent $4,000 to Huff. This was a “tax payment on a $3.5 million lottery prize” which other suspects advised her that she had won. This package was intercepted by the U.S. Postal Service, which spoke to her daughter — who told them her mother lost over $250,000 over 10 years to this scam.
• Mount Pleasant, S.C.: In December 2015, he was called by an alleged “FBI agent,” who told him there were discrepancies in his bank account and he had to mail $25,000 to Audrey Huff in Pittsburgh. This package was never recovered. His funds were lost.
• Prescott, Ariz.: In August 2015, he was told by a perpetrator to send $25,000 in cash to Audrey Huff in Pittsburgh. This package was intercepted by Prescott AZ police; the funds were returned to the victim.
• Saint Paul, Minn.: In September 2016, she was called by an alleged “FBI agent” who said her bank was being investigated and she needed to mail him all her money. She withdrew $32,874 and sent the money to Jennifer Lennox (an alias used by Huff) in Pittsburgh.
• San Jose, Cal.: In January 2017, he sent $8,364 to Armie Corps (an alias used by Audrey Huff) at a Pittsburgh address. This package was intercepted by an OAG agent.

Cain was sentenced in federal court on August 24, 2020 before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.  Cain pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on December 16, 2019. Cain’s conviction will likely result in his deportation at the end of his incarceration.The case was co-prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Katie Wymard and U.S. Attorney Christopher Cook, with special assistance from Special Agent Tim Nutter during the investigation and arrest.

HARRISBURG – State, county and local law enforcement officers appeared before the House Majority Policy Committee Thursday to highlight efforts to serve their communities in the face of growing challenges and changing attitudes in some regions of the state.

The capitol hearing was led by Majority Policy Committee Chairman Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin).

“Without question, our law enforcement officers are truly the backbone of our communities and our Commonwealth,” Causer said. “We are blessed across the state by men and women who put their lives on the line each and every day to keep the peace, prevent crime, protect property and save lives. It’s clear the men and women who testified before the committee today are 110% committed to their oath to ‘protect and serve.’ We all need to do our part to support their efforts.”

In the wake of protests related to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this year, the topic of police-community relations and the importance of ensuring a relationship of trust was a common theme among many of the testifiers.

“The hearing today brought to light a lot of interesting ideas about how we can improve policing in Pennsylvania. The chief of police from a community I represent, Ron Camacho of the Chambersburg Police Department, talked in detail about the importance of community engagement, especially in minority communities that have long been underserved,” said Kauffman. “Through a concerted effort of talking with the public, going to schools and churches, using the power of social media and having a presence at local community events, the Chambersburg police force has built a relationship with the communities it represents that has led to greater public support and trust. This is something all law enforcement agencies could and should focus on to improve community-police relationships.”

Les Neri, president of PA State Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, reiterated the value of community policing initiatives, especially those that reach the youth population; however, many departments have been forced to drop such outreach efforts due to a lack of funding. He suggested additional grants through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency could help reinstate some of these programs at a time when community outreach is more critical than ever.

Responding to calls by some to “defund” police, York County District Attorney Dave Sunday noted a properly trained and well-funded police force is critical to meaningful criminal justice reform. “The call to simply defund the police, cut police budgets, divert or divest funds, or anything of the like, is a false and dangerous narrative,” Sunday said “In fact, eliminating police funding would disproportionately endanger the very vulnerable populations that advocates of this flawed premise seek to aid. No service given to any member of our community can be effective if it cannot be delivered safely. Only one public entity guarantees this basic need for safety, and that is law enforcement.”

Sunday also cited the importance of dealing with the underlying issues that lead some to commit crimes. In his office, they use Wellness courts to more effectively help people with drug, alcohol or mental health issues.

Scott Bohn, executive director of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, noted the Commonwealth is one of just a few states to pass meaningful reforms into law after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which resulted in protests in communities large and small across the nation. While calling for the officers involved to be held accountable for their actions, he also stressed that tragedies like it “should not undermine the legitimacy of law enforcement in Pennsylvania, without which we will continue towards a path of disorder and increased crime. We must target wrongdoing rather than disparaging entire police departments and the policing profession. Law enforcement officers are the guardians of the public.”

Pennsylvania State Troopers Association President David Kennedy, in written testimony submitted to the committee, also acknowledged the importance of police in maintaining order and specifically highlighted the efforts of the Pennsylvania State Police on social justice issues. “Our Office of Heritage Affairs serves as an ally to victims of hate crimes and as a mediator between law enforcement and community members involved in contentious situations,” he wrote. “This office also teaches cadets about cultural diversity, racial profiling awareness and implicit bias. We provide these services to other police departments that request it.”

Additional testimony was offered by Keir Bradford-Grey, chief defender for the Defender Association of Philadelphia; Fayette County Sheriff James Custer, president of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association; and Thomas Maioli, Sheriffs’ Association executive director.

The hearing is part of ongoing efforts in the House to address police and community issues. Earlier this year, Kauffman’s Judiciary Committee led efforts to adopt new laws that will ensure proper vetting of officers before they are hired and improve training related to interactions with individuals of diverse backgrounds. That committee has announced it will hold a public hearing on Sept. 15 to discuss police training and department accreditation.

Thursday’s hearing of the Majority Policy Committee will soon be available for viewing at www.PAHouseGOP.com/policy.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver County, Pa.) The long needed rain finally came Thursday evening and overnight last night in the from of some severe thunderstorms. There was damage and power outages reported throughout the county as of 6:18 a.m Friday morning  Duquesne Light is reporting  that there are 1145 customers without power in Beaver County.  In Beaver 1 home is without power, 400 in Center Township, 200 in Clinton,  100 in Economy Borough , 1 in Hopewell Twp., 1,, 144 in Independence Twp.,  and 200 homes without power in New Sewickley Township.  Beaver County 9-1-1 said the 800 block of Sheffield Avenue in Aliquippa is closed because of downed trees that fell during  last night’s storm.

UPDATE:

Beaver County 9-1-1 reported that a landslide occurred  in Aliquippa during last night’s storm  on Sheffield Avenue  The road is closed from Spring Street to St. Titus Roman Catholic Church.

Trump’s big night: Expect talk of GOP progress, Dem anarchy
By JONATHAN LEMIRE and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Four years ago, Donald Trump accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president with a dark convention speech that painted a dystopian portrait of an America in decline. And he offered a singular solution: “I alone can fix it.” This time, trailing in the polls for reelection, Trump will position himself as the last remaining defense against radical forces threatening the American way of life. While Trump has centered his recent stump speech on anarchists that he depicts as overrunning city streets, aides signal that Thursday’s acceptance speech will not be as dark as his infamous “American carnage” inaugural address.

The Latest: Trump to visit storm-hit Louisiana and Texas

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he will visit the Gulf Coast this weekend to tour damage from one of the fiercest hurricanes to hit the United States.
Trump said he would visit Texas and Louisiana on Saturday or Sunday to survey the destruction caused by Laura, which Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said has killed at least four people.
Laura slammed the Gulf Coast early Thursday and roared through Louisiana. The bulk of the damage was reported in Louisiana. The storm barreled over Lake Charles, Louisiana, an industrial and casino city of 80,000 people.
Extensive property damage has been reported; a floating casino that came unmoored hit a bridge.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf told Trump that the situation on the ground “is fluid and challenging,” but the Federal Emergency Management Agency is responding.
The hurricane’s top wind speed of 150 mph (241 kph) put it among the most powerful on record in the U.S.
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FirstEnergy had big stake in tainted nuclear plant bailout
By MARK GILLISPIE and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. has long maintained it had no financial stake in getting out of the business of operating nuclear power plants. But federal authorities say FirstEnergy bankrolled a $60 million bribery scheme aimed at getting the bailout approved in the Ohio Legislature. Critics say the corporation and its leadership team had an intense interest in the bailout that helped smooth the way for FirstEnergy to sever ownership of the plants in federal bankruptcy court. FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones said the company committed no wrongdoing as it faces scrutiny by the FBI, shareholders and independent board members.

Laura blasts Louisiana coast with wind and wall of seawater
By GERALD HERBERT, MELINDA DESLATTE and STACEY PLAISANCE Associated Press
LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Laura has weakened to a tropical storm after blasting the Louisiana coast with high winds and heavy rain for hours. The system that came ashore as a Category 4 hurricane is being blamed for two deaths and widespread damage around Lake Charles, an industrial and casino city of 80,000 people. It is the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. this year. Laura. Forecasters predicted an unsurvivable storm surge. More than 580,000 people were ordered to evacuate, but at least some stayed behind. Rescuers have to wait for winds to die down before looking for survivors. Laura is now headed toward Arkansas.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH  reported that they are aware  Providence Healthcare in Beaver Falls  has an upswing in COVID-19 cases and is reporting  26 resident cases, 32 employee  cases and 1-4 deaths from COVID-19  . The data available was through Monday  afternoon according to the PA DOH Press office.   Last  weeks’s data reported 7 resident cases, 15 employee cases and no  deaths.  So as of  Monday  19 new resident cases, and 17 employee cases in  the last week.. The DOH press release states that  they are aware of the outbreak at this facility . The DOH   provides  assistance to to every long-term facility that has at least one case of COVID-19

(Rochester Twp., Pa.) Early this morning Emergency crews were called to the scene of a gas leak in the area of the Beaver County YMCA. It’s being  reported that a car hit a gas line along Route 65. Emergency crews were reported to have the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge closed for a period of time overnight. As of 6:30 this morning the bridge and intersection were open and crews were working on a gas main station behind the former Volmer Motors in Rochester Twp.. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is working on getting an update to the specifics of the accident.

UDATE:

Beaver County 9-1-1 received a call at 1:30 a.m.  that a vehicle struck a gas meter  . This accident occurred in the area of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. New Brighton Police are handling the accident report, and weren’t available for comment.  Rochester Township Police and Fire Departments, along with Medic-Rescue  were  dispatched by 9-1-1 to assist new New Brighton at the scene.   The area in proximity of the YMCA   was to be avoided.  At 8:30 a.m. it was announced that the road was reopened to  traffic.