A Union Township man arrested in an alleged murder-for-hire plot planned to do the killing himself, authorities said.
Lauren Bozart, a spokeswoman from state Attorney General Tom Corbett’s Office, said Thursday that Leslie Richard Ransom, 50, of 1105 Miller Road was allegedly planning to hire a third party to help him carry out the plan.
Ransom was arrested Wednesday in an alleged murder-for-hire plot that had been uncovered last month.
New Castle police Chief Thomas Sansone said he didn’t expect any other arrests in the case. His department worked in conjunction with the Attorney General’s office, state police and Union Township police.
“It didn’t get that far along,” Sansone said of Ransom’s recruiting attempt.
According to the criminal complaint, Ransom wanted to get even with three individuals who had robbed him. He was willing to trade drugs in order to obtain a gun to carry out the murders.
Sansone said the initial information about the plot was provided by a local officer, who worked on the case in cooperation with the Attorney General’s office.
“Our guys did a lot of legwork on this, along with the state police,” Sansone said.
Sansone noted that his department provided technical support, including recording devices, for the operation.
He described the suspect as being a familiar figure to city police.
Sansone said he believed state police handled the initial robbery call that spawned the plot for revenge.
Agents arranged a series of undercover meetings with Ransom and discussed the possibility of trading Roxicet pills for a 9mm handgun, according to a press release from Corbett’s office. Ransom discussed in great detail his plans to kill three individuals and dispose of their bodies in a specific secluded area within Moraine State Park.
Agents said that Ransom allegedly picked the location because it would be difficult for anyone to find the bodies.
As part of the undercover operation, agents provided Ransom with a 9 mm handgun, which had been rendered inoperable. He was taken into custody after taking possession of the handgun. Agents seized Roxicet and Xanax pills and recovered the handgun.
Ransom is charged with two counts of criminal attempted homicide, two counts of criminal solicitation, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of illegal sale or transfer of a firearm and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ransom is in the Lawrence County jail on $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Lawrence County Central Court.
http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/09September/Murder_For_Hire/story1.htm
Spruce Street resident robbed
A Spruce Street man was robbed at gunpoint Friday while walking home from a store.
Police said the victim was stopped shortly after 10 p.m. by a male who asked him what he had. The male then pulled out a hand gun and pointed it at the victim’s face, demanding that the victim give him whatever he had.
The victim handed over $101, and the gunman fled in the direction of Pine Street.
The victim’s sister, who had witnessed the robbery from a distance, believed she knew the gunman. However, when she and her brother were given the opportunity to view mug shots, they were unable to make a positive identification.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_252073633.html
Police said the victim was stopped shortly after 10 p.m. by a male who asked him what he had. The male then pulled out a hand gun and pointed it at the victim’s face, demanding that the victim give him whatever he had.
The victim handed over $101, and the gunman fled in the direction of Pine Street.
The victim’s sister, who had witnessed the robbery from a distance, believed she knew the gunman. However, when she and her brother were given the opportunity to view mug shots, they were unable to make a positive identification.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_252073633.html
Felasco gets probation, home confinement
New Castle News
Gary F. Felasco received three years probation and six months of home confinement for failing to file a federal income tax return in 2005.
Sentencing took place Tuesday morning in U.S. Senior District Judge Gustave Diamond’s courtroom in downtown Pittsburgh.
The former Lawrence County treasurer pleaded guilty in February to one count of failing to file a 2005 federal tax return. Felasco could have received from four to 10 months in prison and possible fines.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the charge was separate but related to a mortgage fraud case involving Affordable Housing of Lawrence County and First Commonwealth Bank.
Diamond agreed with Felasco’s attorney, James J. Ross, and the federal government with the terms of the sentence.
Ross and U.S. Assistant Attorney Brendan T. Conway called Felasco’s cooperation exemplary. The former Lawrence County treasurer reportedly supplied invaluable information regarding corruption in Lawrence County.
Felasco already is serving parole through September 2013 in connection with a 2006 conviction on charges of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, misappropriation of entrusted property, embezzlement and conflict of interest. Tuesday’s sentence will run concurrently with his parole.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_251121350.html
Gary F. Felasco received three years probation and six months of home confinement for failing to file a federal income tax return in 2005.
Sentencing took place Tuesday morning in U.S. Senior District Judge Gustave Diamond’s courtroom in downtown Pittsburgh.
The former Lawrence County treasurer pleaded guilty in February to one count of failing to file a 2005 federal tax return. Felasco could have received from four to 10 months in prison and possible fines.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the charge was separate but related to a mortgage fraud case involving Affordable Housing of Lawrence County and First Commonwealth Bank.
Diamond agreed with Felasco’s attorney, James J. Ross, and the federal government with the terms of the sentence.
Ross and U.S. Assistant Attorney Brendan T. Conway called Felasco’s cooperation exemplary. The former Lawrence County treasurer reportedly supplied invaluable information regarding corruption in Lawrence County.
Felasco already is serving parole through September 2013 in connection with a 2006 conviction on charges of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, misappropriation of entrusted property, embezzlement and conflict of interest. Tuesday’s sentence will run concurrently with his parole.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_251121350.html
Armed robber strikes
An armed robber held up First Choice Credit Union on Friday morning and fled with an unknown amount of cash.
The incident at the 1400 Wilmington Road office took place shortly after 11 a.m. A sign on the door said directed customers to other offices to transact their business. An man who answered the door declined to talk about the robbery.
New Castle police were combing the North Hill for a 5-foot-8 white male who had worn a blue bandana over his face during the robbery. Employees told police that the man fled south on foot and was carrying a yellow bag.
http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/Rapid_Response/SEPTEMBER/04/Bank_Robbery/index.htm
The incident at the 1400 Wilmington Road office took place shortly after 11 a.m. A sign on the door said directed customers to other offices to transact their business. An man who answered the door declined to talk about the robbery.
New Castle police were combing the North Hill for a 5-foot-8 white male who had worn a blue bandana over his face during the robbery. Employees told police that the man fled south on foot and was carrying a yellow bag.
http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/Rapid_Response/SEPTEMBER/04/Bank_Robbery/index.htm
Guns seized during search
New Castle News
State police seized more than four dozen firearms yesterday during a search of a South New Castle Borough home.
Police said that their investigation of a May burglary led them to a serve a search warrant at 2:50 p.m. yesterday at the 2010 Martha St. home of 61-year-old David Harry Myers.
During the search, 53 firearms were seized. Police said that at least five of them are known to be stolen property.
The investigation is continuing. No charges have been filed against Myers.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_246093942.html
State police seized more than four dozen firearms yesterday during a search of a South New Castle Borough home.
Police said that their investigation of a May burglary led them to a serve a search warrant at 2:50 p.m. yesterday at the 2010 Martha St. home of 61-year-old David Harry Myers.
During the search, 53 firearms were seized. Police said that at least five of them are known to be stolen property.
The investigation is continuing. No charges have been filed against Myers.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_246093942.html
Neshannock man faces drug charge
A Neshannock Township man is accused of altering a prescription to obtain a controlled substance.
According to Neshannock police, Frank Gaines Jr., 43, of 132 E. Northview Avenue attempted to pass the altered prescription Wednesday at Rite Aid, 1730 Wilmington Road.
A felony charge of acquiring or obtaining possession of controlled substances was filed against Gaines at the office of District Judge Scott A. McGrath.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_245081741.html
According to Neshannock police, Frank Gaines Jr., 43, of 132 E. Northview Avenue attempted to pass the altered prescription Wednesday at Rite Aid, 1730 Wilmington Road.
A felony charge of acquiring or obtaining possession of controlled substances was filed against Gaines at the office of District Judge Scott A. McGrath.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_245081741.html
Burglars Targeting Golf Courses In Beaver, Lawrence Counties
Police in Beaver and Lawrence counties are offering a cash reward to try and stop a series of golf course break-ins.
Courses were hit at Stonecrest in New Beaver, Fox Run in North Sewickley Township and Black Hawk in Chippewa Township.
In all three cases, burglars broke into buildings, caused damage inside and outside, and stole money and other items, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
http://www.wpxi.com/news/20686348/detail.html
Courses were hit at Stonecrest in New Beaver, Fox Run in North Sewickley Township and Black Hawk in Chippewa Township.
In all three cases, burglars broke into buildings, caused damage inside and outside, and stole money and other items, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
http://www.wpxi.com/news/20686348/detail.html