Williamsport Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Blog

Pennsylvania residents may recall recent media reports about the actor Vince Vaughn being taken into custody by police in California for driving while under the influence of alcohol. The 48-year-old actor was also cited for obstruction when he allegedly refused to cooperate with police officers or exit his vehicle after being stopped at a sobriety checkpoint during the early morning hours of June 10. Prosecutors announced on Sept. 7 that Vaughn has now been charged with misdemeanor DUI and faces the prospect of almost a year behind bars if convicted.

Police say that Vaughn, who is best known for his comedic roles in films including 'Wedding Crashers" and 'The Internship," and his male passenger were detained after refusing repeated calls to get out of their vehicle and submit to sobriety tests. Vaughn's passenger was subsequently cited for obstruction and public intoxication. The incident took place at about 12:40 a.m. at the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Artesia Boulevard in Manhattan Beach. However, the actor was not charged at that time according to reports. His case was instead assigned to the Manhattan Beach Police Department.

Cyber crimes encompass many criminal activities that happen online or through computer networks. These crimes include the hacking theft of valuable data and proprietary information, ransomware attacks, identity theft and distribution of child pornography. The FBI has the task of monitoring and intervening in these activities. The bureau established the National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance in 1997. From its base of operations in Pennsylvania, the alliance shares resources and expertise and develops strategies for counteracting cyber criminals.

Constant advances in computer technology require investigators to update their methods continually. Cyber criminals deploy a wide range of tactics against their targets. Transnational crime rings might harvest illicit gains from stock manipulation schemes, intellectual property theft or pharmaceutical fraud. Individuals have the same potential as large companies to be exploited by cyber criminals. Various financial fraud schemes, ransomware attacks and identify theft can impose losses on people. Children might be lured into dangerous situations by predators who contact them online.

If you live in Pennsylvania and are currently facing fraud charges relating to your use of email, phones, texts or another type of electronic communication, you may have valid concerns about the possible penalties you may face, if convicted. Wire fraud is a serious federal offense, and typically, authorities must prove several specific things in order to make a successful case against you.

First, they must be able to demonstrate that you had a clear intent to take money from someone or some organization through electronic means, and that you actively participated in some type of scheme you knew was unlawful. Next, they must demonstrate that you engaged in interstate wire communications in doing so, which typically means you did so through phone calls, emails or what have you.

A 50-year-old Pennsylvania man with multiple DUI convictions dating back to the 1990s was taken into custody on July 25 after he ran a red light. The incident occurred in Lower Saucon Township, and he was detained after performing poorly on field coordination exercises. He is facing DUI charges, and officers say his blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit.

In 1990, following alcohol and drug-related charges, the man went into Lehigh County's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition. In 1992, he was again taken into custody, this time in Salisbury Township, and sentenced to one to 23 months in jail. He was detained for DUI again in August 1993 and April 1996, and he pleaded guilty both times. After yet another charge and a guilty plea in 1999, his sentence included a fine and time in prison among other penalties.