New Bucks sheriff weighs in on fatal Minneapolis incident, will end 287g program – Bucks Round-Up – January 8, 2025

New Bucks sheriff weighs in on fatal Minneapolis incident, will end 287g program 

Bucks County’s new sheriff is moving forward in rejecting his predecessor’s partnership with federal immigration authorities, even as a legal battle over the program continues in multiple courts. Sheriff Danny Ceisler (D) also commented Wednesday night at his swearing-in ceremony on the alleged shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent Wednesday morning. “When you have absolutely overzealous law enforcement who are clearly not trained on the rules of engagement, which I saw the video, that certainly appears to be the case in Minneapolis, you are going to have incidents like this,” Ceisler said. He confirmed he has placed an immediate moratorium on the county’s participation in the federal 287(g) program and will formally withdraw by the end of the month. The move fulfills a top campaign promise after Ceisler defeated Republican former Sheriff Fred Harran in November’s election. The 287(g) program allowed trained sheriff’s deputies to carry out the responsibilities of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while also maintaining their duties for the county. Harran authorized the agreement last year and had sixteen deputies trained and deputized, arguing the program was a no-cost crimefighting tool limited to illegal immigrants already jailed or wanted on bench warrants. Despite the change under Ceisler, litigation surrounding the agreement remains active. The ACLU of Pennsylvania and the Community Justice Project are appealing a Bucks County court ruling that permitted Harran to enter the agreement without approval from the Board of the Bucks County Commissioners. The appeal is now before Superior Court while Bucks County officials are pursuing a related appeal in Commonwealth Court. The ACLU has dropped claims against Harran personally now that he is out of office, but the case continues against the Sheriff’s Office and other participating sheriffs. Harran has appealed a $35,000 legal fee award in federal court, leaving unanswered questions as to whether taxpayers could be footing the fee. 

Quakertown drug trafficker sentenced to up to 31 years

A Quakertown man convicted of running a large-scale methamphetamine and fentanyl operation will spend decades behind bars. Brendan Craig Hamrick, 47, was sentenced to fifteen to 31 years in state prison after pleading guilty to nine felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and related charges. Investigators seized hundreds of grams of crystal meth and other drugs during a months-long investigation. Prosecutors also cited disturbing recorded statements made by Hamrick involving the use of incapacitating drugs. The case was handled by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force and Warrington Township Police.

Child injured in Falls Township traffic accident

Falls Township police are investigating an accident that left a nine-year-old boy injured Wednesday afternoon. Fall Township Police Lt. Chris Clark says the preliminary investigation determined that a group of elementary school aged children were walking along the shoulder of West Trenton Avenue when one of the children, a nine-year-old male who resides in Fallsington, ran into the roadway.  A 22-year-old female resident of Robbinsville, New Jersey, was traveling in a Mazda CX5 along West Trenton Avenue toward Lincoln Highway when she attempted to avoid striking the child. The boy impacted the front bumper and hood before landing on the roadway. The boy was rushed to St. Mary Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries. The female driver did not suffer any injuries. Neither alcohol, drugs nor a medical emergency are believed to be factors in the incident. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call Falls Township Police. 

Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490.