Bucks County District Attorney's Office

06/05/2026

Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan commended the collaborative law enforcement effort required to bring the predator to justice.

“This predator weaponized platforms meant for children to hunt and exploit young girls, bypassing even the best parental safety measures," DA Khan said. "Thanks to the work of the Bucks County Detectives, the Upper Southampton Police Department, and Assistant District Attorney Ishmael Gbassagee, he was stripped of his anonymity and held fully accountable. We will continue to use the full authority of this office to protect our children from online threats like this.”

An Upper Southampton Township man was sentenced to the maximum possible county prison term on Friday, June 6, 2026, after using the popular online gaming platform Roblox to target, manipulate, and exploit young girls. President Judge Raymond F.

06/05/2026

Paul Miller’s Law takes effect today for all motorists in Pennsylvania.

The new law makes it illegal to use a handheld cell phone or other mobile device while driving — even when stopped at a red light or in traffic. Officers may stop drivers solely for this violation.

The law is named in memory of Paul Miller, who was killed in 2010 by a distracted driver reaching for a phone. Its purpose is simple: save lives and prevent needless tragedies caused by distracted driving.

Put the phone down. Keep your eyes on the road. Arrive safely.



https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/newsroom/statewide/2025/-paul-miller-s-law--effective-june-5

06/04/2026

Justice Remembered: Honoring Park Ranger Thomas E. Booz

Today, we pause to honor and remember Park Ranger Thomas E. Booz, who passed away nearly six years ago from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Ranger Booz devoted an incredible 32 years of his life to protecting and serving Bucks County, ensuring its beautiful outdoor spaces were safe and welcoming for all. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, law enforcement and public safety officers didn't have the option to stay home. True to his calling, Ranger Booz continued to work, serve, and protect his community, ultimately giving his life in the line of duty on June 6, 2020.

Known by his peers as a friendly, warm, and deeply dedicated professional, Tom’s legacy lives on in the parks he maintained and the lives he touched across over three decades of service.

Tom wasn't just a dedicated ranger; he was a beloved husband, stepfather, brother, and a deeply respected peer known for his warmth, humor, and unwavering reliability.

Our thoughts remain with his family, friends, and fellow officers.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/24760-park-ranger-thomas-e-booz

06/03/2026

As we redouble our commitment to keeping our schools safe, DA Joe Khan and our staff are speaking with students, educators, and administrators across the County to ensure that our office is providing schools in every district the resources and support that they need to protect our kids. The DA’s favorite part of these visits is speaking with the students, who always share thoughtful insights and important questions for our office to consider. Thank you to the staff and AP Government students at William Tennent High School for a wonderful conversation about civics, justice and career paths for young people.

06/02/2026

Among the new victims in the amended complaint was a mother who “described the living conditions as horrible but felt they had no other choice but to live there.” Both she and two other tenants identified in the amended complaint said they complained about the conditions and asked for repairs, but nothing was ever done.

“The original complaint brought to light horrific mistreatment of some of our most vulnerable residents, including the elderly and disabled tenants who were cheated of heat in Code Blue winters,” District Attorney Joe Khan said. “Now that we know that the defendants exposed an 11-year-old to these dangerous conditions, we will do whatever it takes to make sure that no child in Bucks County is ever endangered in this way again.”

The District Attorney’s Office extends its sincere thanks to members of the local media and the public. Information brought forward by the community directly assisted investigators in identifying the additional victims and expanding the scope of this case.

Our office continues to urge past residents of 113 S. Main Street and past residents of other properties owned by Richard Goetter to come forward and contact our office to report unfair, deceptive, and unsafe living conditions.

https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/bucks/da/29567/post/da-khan-amends-historic-housing-justice-lawsuit-after-more-tenants-come-forward

06/02/2026

The fight against human trafficking is very much a team effort and we are thankful for all of our partners in this mission.

Last month, DA Khan appointed Lieutenant Dante Montella to lead and innovate our Detective Division's anti-trafficking squad to ensure that we are being more proactive in addressing the threat of human trafficking in Bucks County in partnership with Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking (BCAT) and local law enforcement.

DA Khan and Lt. Montella then made several visits to Falls Township, including a hotel outreach with BCAT and the Falls Township Police Department, in advance of the region's major summer events (when human trafficking is known to increase). With several large-scale events just around the corner – such as the FIFA World Cup and the country's 250th anniversary – hotel employees received guidance on common red flags of human trafficking to look out for, how traffickers use hospitality locations, and the proper steps to take to alert law enforcement.

We want to thank all of the volunteers from BCAT, Chief Nelson Whitney, and everyone at the Falls Township Police Department for their dedication to stopping human trafficking in Bucks County.

Falls Township Police Department
BCAT Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking

06/01/2026

Law enforcement successfully tracked Fisher in real-time by utilizing the “FindMy” feature on the victim's stolen AirPods. The tracking signal led officers from Upper Southampton, down the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and through Delaware County before stopping near Aramingo Avenue and E. Somerset Street in Philadelphia.

Working with the Philadelphia Police Department, officers located Fisher resting inside a black 2014 Kia Forte. To confirm the suspect's identity, an Upper Southampton officer remotely activated the AirPods, which emitted an audible tone from inside the vehicle. Fisher was immediately detained and later made substantive admissions to investigators.

“Today's sentence ensures that this defendant will be held fully accountable, and our office remains deeply committed to fighting for victims of violent crime and keeping our neighborhoods safe,” District Attorney Joe Khan said. “I want to thank the Upper Southampton and Philadelphia police departments for their swift, collaborative work to apprehend this dangerous individual, and First Assistant District Attorney Kristin McElroy for securing justice in the courtroom.”

Upper Southampton Township Police Department Chief Dominic Varacallo echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the impact of the crime on the household's sense of security.

“This was every family's worst nightmare - a violent intrusion into the safety and sanctity of their home,” Chief Varacallo said. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our officers, our law enforcement partners in Philadelphia, and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, a dangerous offender has been held accountable for his actions.”

A man will serve up to a decade in state prison following a violent overnight home invasion in Upper Southampton Township that prosecutors described as a “woman's worst nightmare.”Nafis Lamont Donte Fisher, 34, of Philadelphia, entered an...

06/01/2026

If you watch a criminal proceeding in a Bucks County courtroom, you’ll often hear a judge engage in a direct, question-and-answer conversation with a defendant. This official dialogue is called a colloquy (pronounced kol-uh-kwee).

Derived from the Latin word for "conversation," a colloquy is a crucial legal safeguard. It is a formal inquiry recorded by a court stenographer to ensure a defendant’s constitutional rights are protected.

A judge administers a colloquy before a defendant makes a major, life-altering decision, such as:

• Entering a Guilty Plea: Confirming they understand the charges, the maximum penalties, and the rights they waive by skipping a trial.
• Waiving a Jury Trial: Ensuring they understand their right to a jury of peers before choosing a “bench trial” decided only by a judge.

The goal of a colloquy is to prove on the record that the defendant is making their decision knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. By asking direct questions, the judge ensures transparency, protects the defendant's rights, and prevents cases from being overturned later on appeal.

05/30/2026

We want to extend our deepest condolences to the Central Berks Regional Police Department as they mourn the tragic loss of Officer Kristen Yeager.

Officer Yeager was killed in the line of duty last night in a motor vehicle crash while responding to a call for service. She served her community with profound courage, dedication, and honor.

We stand with the Central Berks Regional Police Department and send our thoughts and prayers to Officer Yeager’s family, friends, and colleagues during this devastating time.

Rest in peace, Officer Yeager. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

05/29/2026

Earlier this month, District Attorney Joe Khan addressed the latest graduating class of the Bucks County Veterans Response Team (VRT).

Led by Matthew Allen, the county’s Director of Veterans Affairs, officers from several local police departments completed the multi-day training program.

The VRT is a dedicated network of law enforcement and military veterans collaborating with social service agencies to support veterans in crisis and their families. Through specialized training, members provide deflection interventions designed to meet the needs of justice-involved veterans while avoiding unnecessary arrests or involuntary commitments.

To learn more, contact the Bucks County Office of Veterans Affairs at 215-345-3881, or ask your local police department if they participate in the VRT program.