Phila. man sentenced for illegal firearms trafficking, child porn – Bucks Round-Up – September 30, 2025

Phila. man sentenced for illegal firearms trafficking, child porn

Jermaine Bantum, 36, of Philadelphia, has been sentenced for illegally trafficking firearms — including one used in a Philadelphia homicide — and for possessing child pornography. Between 2018 and 2023, Bantum sold at least 13 handguns illegally across Bucks and neighboring counties. His cellphone revealed 77 files containing child sexual abuse material. He received a state prison sentence for the gun charges, 12 months of probation, and must register as a sex offender for 15 years. The investigation involved the Bucks County Detectives Gun Violence Task Force and the Attorney General’s Office, with prosecution led by Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon.  

Preschools focus on relationships, routines, and readiness

Preschool classrooms across Bucks County have wrapped up their first month of the school year, with teachers and staff at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) emphasizing relationships, consistency, and exploration as the foundation for learning. At the Lower Bucks Early Learning Center in Bristol, Head Start teacher Rebecca Salzano says the first weeks are about making students feel comfortable and engaged. Each morning, children are greeted warmly, their artwork is displayed, and families are invited to send in photos for classroom walls. “I hope that each child feels that our classroom is a warm and safe place where they can try new things,” Salzano said. Creating inviting spaces is central to the Bucks IU approach, with individualized learning centers and time for independent exploration. At the Lower Southampton Early Learning Center, Pre-K Counts teacher Helen Quimby and her team spent days preparing hands-on stations. “I hope they take away a feeling of autonomy over their learning, feeling brave to try, and a sense of independence,” Quimby said. Bucks IU officials stress that structure is just as important as creativity. Dr. Roseanna Mitsch, director of early childhood programs, noted that early weeks are devoted to teaching routines and expectations. “Established routines and an understanding of expectations ensure everyone knows what to do and when,” she explained.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article’s top item was removed for the sake of accuracy.

Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490.