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| Wheeler returned to donation drive after his arrest |
Wheeler is a well-known, long-time Easton activist, the former President of Easton NAACP, a constable, and has often been called the Mayor of the West Ward. He finished short in his bid for City Council in May, but tells me he won the west ward.
When I saw Wheeler at the candidates' night at Easton South Side Civic Ass'n, he was far from his usual affable self. He started sparring with Mayor Sal Panto and told people he had no desire to win. He was gaunt and seemed rattled. In fact, I was so concerned that I called him afterwards to ask if he's OK.
I called him again yesterday after I learned of his arrest, and he admitted this sword of Damocles has been hanging over his head for nearly a year. "If it happened the way they're saying, why wasn't I arrested last year?" he asked several times.
He believes his arrest is politically motivated because he supported Steve Baratta for DA, and is the person who encouraged the Sikhs in Lower Nazareth to reach out to him. He also blames Easton Mayor Sal Panto.
He told me he's represented by Glennis Clark, a well-known and highly respected Allentown attorney.
Why did this case take so long to investigate? We know this investigation was conducted by a small police department. We know there was school bus video and audio to retrieve and review. We know there was a need to interview at least four juveniles, presumably with their parents, and school district officials. Wheeler told me that witnesses, including his nephew, were called to testify before a grand jury. He also told me one of the children he was driving was autistic, yet the school district provided no aide. We know that authorities should take allegations of child abuse seriously.
When Wheeler has his preliminary hearing, we'll know why this case took as long as it did to investigate and whether it was politically motivated or a law enforcement response to someone who actually may have attempted to persuade his nephew to assault these juveniles. Until then, we should refrain from speculation.
I'll never dismiss politics as a possibility in cases like this. But small PDs with limited resources and a reliance upon others for digital forensics investigations will take an excruciatingly long time to resolve them. My business is going through a case that's dragged for nearly two years.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't he work for the NC prison and his wife in the Government Center?
ReplyDeleteDo you think there is any truth to his claim that this is “politically motivated”? Also, what does the mayor of Easton have to do with Wilson?
ReplyDeleteThis post is about Lance Wheeeler and his claim that his arrest is political. I am declining to post comments that are off topic. It is not about gummies or other cases.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that LVL omitted mentioning his association and past leadership within the local NAACP branch...
ReplyDeleteWhat difference does it make whether he had a connection to the NAACP. His arrest has nothing to do with that organization.
DeleteIt’s asinine that you’d even try to bring in this organization to this case. What does it have to do with anything? I’d suggest you stop reaching bc you’re being ridiculous.
Delete8:18, I am waiting to see what happens in the preliminary before forming an opinion. I think it highly unlikely that Terry would engage in official oppression or engage in this kind of unethical conduct, so I would need to see proof that Wheeler was targeted bc he supports Baratta. If that were so, and Terry wanted to get him, I think he would have arrested sooner, not later. I am waiting to see the reason for delay at the preliminary.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how Panto could be behind this. This is not Easton, but Wilson, police. And frankly, I think Easton police would jump all over him if he tried to use them as a weapon. So there I do have an opinion. I think the accusation against Panto is absurd.
If this is politically motivated I guess Terry had someone impersonating him behind the wheel of the bus on video and audio…. Although I have no respect for Panto I agree with Bernie that EPD would be raising hell if he tried to use them politically.
DeleteTerry Houck and Bernie O'Hare the two most ethical yahoos in all zee land. 🤣
ReplyDelete"Doesn't he work for the NC prison and his wife in the Government Center?"
ReplyDeleteNo Lance did at one time work for the county as the boss of the tipstaffs. He was fired. He works all sorts of jobs. He is a constable, he offers security services to places like the Sikh temple, dabbles here and there with real estate. I was unaware he drives a school van.
His wife does work for the county but they are going thru a divorce.
The most damning bit, IMO, is that he was arrested, publicly and while volunteering to help fire victims, within hours of the complaint being issued. This despite the long investigation, Lance being represented by counsel, and a well-known pillar of the community.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who wasn't in the political crosshairs would have been afforded an opportunity to arrange a surrender, particularly on misdemeanor charges.
@ 7:23 I'm to understand that he was afforded such opportunity, but chose to play it the way it went.
DeleteSounds like the stockertown chief wasn’t enough for DA hot shot , he’s now on a hit parade of all Barada supporters, is Northampton county a communes state, side with Barada and get arrested , this good man and a veteran police chief along with another chief from the county Al now have been slain by Houck’s political agendas, what a scumbag , no wonder why all his prosecutors have been resigning over the last three weeks
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of dirty politics, Stockertown’s only choice for replacing past chief slides right into their corrupt ways.
ReplyDeleteWhitehall man gets $70,000 in police suit ** He says he was beaten by Catasauqua officer during traffic stop.
By MORNING CALL | Staff Report
PUBLISHED: June 8, 2006 at 4:00 a.m. | UPDATED: October 5, 2021 at 10:47 a.m.
A Whitehall Township man received $70,000 after filing a federal lawsuit against Catasauqua and a borough police officer, claiming he was beaten during a routine traffic stop.
The officer, Corey Fluck, was fired soon after the March 2004 incident.
Kevin R. Kromer was paid last month by the borough’s insurance company after filing his suit in March
@7:23. I'm inclined to believe you, but he had a warrant for his arrest, and he was spotted and arrested.
ReplyDeleteCould he have been asked to turn himself in? Probably. Just like the pro life guy who had the FBI SWAT team show up at his house, i'm sure he would have turned himself in also. As far as your last comment, we see lots of that from our current DOJ.
Poor decision to arrest him while he is doing good for the community. This guy is very reachable and everywhere but they had to do a scumbag tactic of taking him in handcuffs while he is doing good. The city is very lucky that didn't turn into a riot. Whether Lance is right or wrong here makes no difference of his affiliation of any organization they could have handled such low level offenses they took almost a year to bring on much better!! That's my two cents!
ReplyDeleteLance told me he was given an opportunity to come in and refused. When police arrived, Lance is the one who insisted on being cuffed. Good PR, you know.
ReplyDeleteThis will turn into a race issue again… let’s all feel sorry for poor Lance… he created what he got. Given an opportunity to turn himself in and refused. Glad the police did the right thing no matter where he was or what he was doing
DeleteAfter reading the newspaper article on this case my only question is why it took so long for him to be arrested. Video and audio of his actions, one which includes him telling his nephew to go after these kids. What's his defense? "Don't believe your eyes and ears people, I'm a pillar of the community!". The only political side to this story that I can see is the possibility of the prosecutor being afraid of bringing charges to a popular person before an election with the fear of possibly losing votes.
ReplyDelete10:26am I Agree. Only a few locals believe him
DeleteThat could be a good possibility
DeleteHouck is loosing votes daily along with his staff , he’s done
ReplyDeleteHouck does not have the support of party bosses. Morganelli Machine or the establishment. He just has the support of the people
ReplyDeleteHe lost the popular vote no matter how you cut it lol, but keep up the theme he's the people champ. It's working! I can feel it!
ReplyDeleteI voted for him in 2020, however will not in 2024. I know people that work for him and have confirmed about the revolving door in the office and he is not the warm and fuzzy persona he what’s to portray during the election. In addition most of his employees felt they had to attend his announcement even though they really didn’t want to, they weren’t forced but felt they had too
Delete4.01 you may be a yr too late
DeleteWasn’t Kerry Meyers there to protect him from himself?
ReplyDeleteBernie do your homework as you did with Mezzacappa. Visit the Easton Police facility and view the incident reports were Lance has had contact with them either as a complainant, witness, victim, offender, etc. Only after reading the reports can "you" make an informed decision concerning the type of person you think he is. Was this a political arrest? I'm not sure but I tend to drift to the no on this. As mentioned he had the opportunity to turn himself in but chose not to do so. This could have been kept quiet but he chose an alternative route. One thing is for sure, the video and or audio will not lie.
ReplyDeleteBernie
ReplyDeleteWord around the courthouse is there are other investigations involving Mr. Wheeler. People who have known him for many years say hes " "went off the deep end" , others say it's "substance abuse". I look foreward to reading your report after the prelim
10:44, Lance's position as a former President of the Easton NAACP shows his commitment to the community and is part of his activism. For that reason, I mentioned it. It is as relevant as the fact that he is a constable and is called the Mayor of the West Ward. It is not intended in any way to cast aspersions on that organization, and the charges against Lance have nothing to do with the NAACP or his activism. But a story should tell you what, why, who, where and when. This is part of the who.
ReplyDeleteWheeler is far from the person he pretends to be.Those of us who know him, see him as an opportunist who will shade the truth as he initially did in this case.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree! He pulled the wool over the eyes of so many for so long
DeleteBernie
DeleteI finally saw the video. What are your thoughts of Councilwoman Sultana whith the caption " Im outraged"? As a council woman wouldnt it have been better for her to sit back and wait to see what was happening, instead of filimg and following while others screamed and cursed at the police? Seems really unbecoming of a xouncil person.
I rec'd an anonymous comment from a woman who said that she and her husband pray for Lance, and then proceeds to savage him in every way imaginable. You need to ID yourself.
ReplyDelete