Police Beat

It’s three to six years in state prison for a man who was involved in a meth ring. 44-year-old, Frank Messina, was sentenced Tuesday in Montgomery County Court. Authorities say, Messina, an Upper Gwynedd resident, conspired with numerous participants to delivery and use meth. Prosecutors say that Messina’s involvement occurred between December of 2011 and March of last year. When he’s paroled, Messina will face 21-years of supervised probation. Judge Thomas Gavin called Messina a drug dealer and drug user, using lies and manipulation to get what he wanted. The prosecution says Messina was a key cog in the meth operation and deserved additional prison time.

While the family, friends and colleagues of Plymouth Township Police Officer Bradley Fox still mourn his loss, there is a glimmer of hope in the midst of sorrow for everyone who knew and loved Officer fox. The Marine Veteran lost his life in the line of duty in September during a traffic stop and ensuing chase in the Township. Fox’s wife, Lynsay, gave birth to a son. The Fox family welcomed Bradley Michael Fox Jr. just before 9AM Monday. Brad Jr. weighed in at 7 pounds and 11 ounces.

Animal cruelty and additional charges have been filed against a Franconia Township man after police found numerous animals, including a goat, reptiles, dogs, cats and chinchillas living in poor conditions. Franconia Township police also found several unsecured rifles at the home of 52-year-old Earl Heitz III, a resident of the 100 block of Forrest road in Franconia Township. S.P.C.A and Franconia Township’s Code Enforcement Department also converged on the home, finding 21 animals. Heitz, who was not permitted at his home, tried to get in later and was arrested. He faces a preliminary hearing on March 29th. Police also say Heitz was prohibited from owning weapons due to a previous run-in with the legal system. He was released after posting 50-thousand dollars bail.

A 49-year-old Hatfield man suspected of stabbing his wife multiple times on March 10th will face a preliminary hearing in April after his first hearing, scheduled for Monday, was cancelled. The court did not give a reason for rescheduling Thomas Young’s preliminary hearing, now scheduled for April 12th. Police say young assaulted his wife with a knife at her home, after midnight, on March 10th on the 33-hundred block of Wheatfield circle, fleeing in her 2009 Honda Accord. Young turned himself in March 15th after a five-day manhunt. Young, who faces a host of charges, including attempted murder, is being held in the Montgomery County Prison on 1-million dollars bail