ACLU sues Bucks Sheriff over ICE policy – Bucks Round-Up – June 9, 2025
ACLU sues Bucks Sheriff over ICE policy
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania joined the leftist legal-aid nonprofit Community Justice Project in suing Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran (R) over immigration policy. At issue is the Sheriff’s agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to locally implement the federal agency’s 287(g) program. The program would train and authorize deputies to assist in enforcing federal immigration law against those who commit major offenses. Harran, who faces a reelection battle this year, believes the program will improve public safety in Bucks communities. The county Board of Commissioners’ Democratic majority refuses to back the program and opposes its implementation, arguing the board can enter into a contract with a federal agency if it wants to but a county department cannot. Harran’s legal counsel has disputed the position of the Democratic commissioners and their solicitor, Amy Fitzpatrick, who is now a Democratic candidate for Court of Common Pleas.
Warminster man jailed after dog drowning incident
A Warminster man is facing felony charges after police say he drowned his dog in a bathtub. Authorities responded to the 600 block of East Street Road on May 16 for a welfare check and arrested 28-year-old Matthew Spanburgh. According to investigators, Spanburgh admitted to killing his Belgian Shepherd after it allegedly knocked over his three-month-old child. However, police say Spanburgh’s wife and child had already left the home three days prior to the incident. He remains held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $300,000 bail, facing charges of cruelty and aggravated cruelty to animals. Police reports also note Spanburgh was reportedly experiencing marital issues at the time.
Bucks consumer watchdog warns grads of scam surge
As graduation season ramps up, so do scam attempts — targeting both students and their families. Bucks County’s Director of Consumer Protection, Mike Bannon, issued a warning about fraudulent websites and social media pages offering fake graduation party apparel and gifts. The schemes aim to steal personal and financial information, often using phony online storefronts. Bannon also cautioned against predatory websites posing as legitimate financial aid services. His advice: stick to verified resources and consult platforms like ScamDetector.com. Bannon discussed the issue during a recent appearance on WBCB’s UpWords with Chris Ermer.
Philadelphia man dies in Bensalem crash
A 29-year-old Philadelphia man died after a single-vehicle crash in Bensalem Township early Friday morning. Police say Aaron Mines was driving west on Street Road when he lost control of his Toyota Camry and struck a traffic light near Mechanicsville Road. Emergency crews transported Mines to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities are continuing their investigation and are working to determine whether drugs, alcohol, or a medical emergency contributed to the crash.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.
