Latest news with #TroyRivetti
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania man charged with making antisemitic threat against public official
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — An Allegheny County man has been charged in federal court with allegedly sending antisemitic threats to a public official. Edward Owens Jr., 29, of Elizabeth, is accused of sending a threat over social media to a public official, according to Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. Court documents state that Owens Jr. knowingly sent the following threat to a local official. 'We're coming for you [emoji of person raising right hand] [German flag emoji] be afraid. Go back to Israel, or better yet, exterminate yourself and save us the trouble. 109 countries for a reason. We will not stop until your kind is nonexistent.' Pennsylvania man pleads guilty to art fraud involving famous painters According to a release, what Owens was referring to was the antisemitic assertion that Jewish people had been expelled from 109 countries. The phrase is also allegedly widely used by antisemites to promote hatred. A release from the Department of Justice did not clarify who the official was or their position, just that they regularly engage with the public. Currently, the United States has filed a request for the court system to deny bail pending his trial as they feel he is 'a danger to the community.' A hearing on this notion will be held on June 5. Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Altoona man sentenced nearly 4 years for drug trafficking in Central Pennsylvania
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — An Altoona man was sentenced in federal court for drug trafficking around Blair, Cambria, Centre and Clearfield counties, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced. Andrew Stowell, 67, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, by United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines. Stowell was part of an Altoona-based drug trafficking organization, according to information presented to the court. On Dec. 12, 2022, Stowell sold a quarter-pound of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Original Story: Ten Central Pennsylvanians indicted on federal charges for drugs, money laundering Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Service–Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of thegovernment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Altoona man sentenced nearly 4 years for drug trafficking in Central Pennsylvania
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — An Altoona man was sentenced in federal court for drug trafficking around Blair, Cambria, Centre and Clearfield counties, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced. Andrew Stowell, 67, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, by United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines. Stowell was part of an Altoona-based drug trafficking organization, according to information presented to the court. On Dec. 12, 2022, Stowell sold a quarter-pound of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Original Story: Ten Central Pennsylvanians indicted on federal charges for drugs, money laundering Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Service–Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of thegovernment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former Wampum man pleads guilty in federal court to child porn charge
A former resident of Wampum has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced April 23. Thomas Hyatt-Baney, age 21, pleaded guilty to one count before U.S. District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on June 25, 2023, from 12:30 to 12:37 p.m., Hyatt-Baney, using his iPhone, produced three video clips depicting the sexual exploitation of a toddler. Wiegand tentative;y scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. Aug. 28. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Pending sentencing, the Court continued Hyatt-Baney's detention. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of thegovernment. The Pennsylvania State Police and Homeland Security Investigations conducted theinvestigation that led to the prosecution of Hyatt-Baney. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Former Wampum man pleads guilty in federal court to child porn charge
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh-area trio, including National Guardsman, indicted for defacing Jewish synagogue
A former Pennsylvania Air National Guardsman and two alleged co-conspirators have now been indicted for defacing a Jewish synagogue with 'anti-Zionist graffiti' in the Pittsburgh area in 2024. U.S. prosecutors said a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh returned a superseding indictment against three Pittsburgh-area residents on charges of conspiracy, defacing and damaging a religious building, making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of the United States, and possession of destructive devices, Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti said. The nine-count superseding indictment named Mohamad Hamad, 23, of Coraopolis; and Tayla A. Lubit, 24, and Micaiah Collins, 22, both of Pittsburgh, as defendants. According to the superseding indictment, Hamad enlisted with the U.S. Air Force in 2023 and sought a top secret security clearance, while being stationed in Moon Township. Around the same time, Hamad was also expressing support for Hezbollah and Hamas – and an investigation showed Hamad and Collins were conspiring to manufacture pipe bombs, federal prosecutors said. 'The FBI and our partners are committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who reportedly choose to lie about being loyal to this country and instead engage in dangerous, menacing and illegal activities,' said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek.
