Man charged in alleged murder plot targeting ex-prosecutor
STATE COLLEGE, PA. >> A man has been charged in an alleged murder-for-hire plot against a former Pennsylvania prosecutor that involved two current or former prison inmates authorities said.
Dana Elroy Smith, 56, of State College, faces charges in Luzerne County of criminal solicitation of criminal homicide and criminal conspiracy, state police said.
Police allege that information including the victim’s description and home address was sent to potential “hit men.” Investigators also allege that “large money transfers” were found from Smith through an intermediary to a state prison inmate “involved with the execution of the plot.”
Smith was arrested Friday following an undercover operation in which police allege he made a “money drop” to the purported hit-man. Charges were filed in Luzerne County because “a significant step in the furtherance of the murder conspiracy” occurred there, police said. No details were provided.
Court records indicate that Smith was charged in Centre County in 2009 with felony counts of witness or victim intimidation in giving false or misleading testimony and withholding information. He was convicted in a jury trial and sentenced to 2 ½ to five years in prison. In 2011, he was charged with harassment and was again convicted and sentenced to 60 days.
Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis told The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens’ Voice that the former prosecutor targeted in the alleged plot was the prosecutor in both of Smith’s cases.
Philadelphia police and state prison and parole board officials were involved in the investigation along with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, police said.
“Due to the diligence of our investigators and with the assistance provided by our partners, a potential tragedy was averted, and those responsible will be held accountable for their actions,” said Maj. Douglas Burig, director of the state police bureau of criminal investigation.
Special agent-in-charge Donald Robinson of the ATF Philadephia field division said investigators and criminal intelligence analysts “prevented a potential homicide from occurring and a family from grieving a tragic loss at the holidays.”
Court documents don’t list a defense attorney for Smith; a message was left at a number listed for that name.
Authorities have recovered the bodies of two victims following an explosion and fire that destroyed several row homes in south Philadelphia.
The first victim’s remains were recovered late Friday afternoon, more than 24 hours after the 11:30 a.m. Thursday blast not far from the city’s famed Italian Market. The second victim’s remains were recovered on Saturday afternoon, a fire department spokeswoman said. The names of the two haven’t been released.
Three houses collapsed and others were damaged, two of them severely. Several dozen people were evacuated due to the fire.
City Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said emergency responders twice tried to rescue someone they saw trapped but were prevented from doing so by the intense fire and collapsing buildings. Family members have reported a second person missing that Thiel said is believed to be in the debris.
Thiel said excavation efforts were hampered by concerns about the stability of the street and structures, and steel plates had to be put on the road to make it safe for heavy equipment. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that he said Friday evening that crews must dismantle buildings on either side of the wreckage to continue recovery efforts.
Thiel had praise for the efforts of both first responders and neighbors who tried to offer assistance.
“We really saw the best of Philadelphia yesterday,” Thiel said
The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.
WILKINSBURG, PA. >> A police officer shot and killed a man who police said opened fire during a foot pursuit near Pittsburgh, police said.
Wilkinsburg officers were dispatched to an intersection just after 1 a.m. Sunday after a report of a man threatening another person with a gun, Allegheny County police said.
The man fled, but after a brief pursuit he turned and fired a handgun at one of the officers, police said. The officer returned fire, striking the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
His name wasn’t immediately released.
Allegheny County police are investigating. The county district attorney’s office has been given a preliminary briefing and will review the investigation once it is completed, police said. The Wilkinsburg officer has been placed on administrative duty as is standard policy.
Police: Officer shot, killed man who fired during foot chase