December 16, 2009.  For Immediate Release.

DUBOIS – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced today that Clearfield County has qualified for the  Recovery Act - Justice Assistance Grant.

Shaw stated that his office administers the JAG grant for Clearfield County.  In the spring of this year, the JAG grant was applied for in an effort to obtain funding for qualified municipalities to purchase police vehicles.  In August 2009, Shaw was notified that Clearfield County was awarded $60,224.00 in Recovery Act funds.

Shaw presented DuBois City Mayor John "Herm" Suplizio with a check in the amount of $15,036.00 to enable the DuBois City Police Department to purchase a new police vehicle.

Shaw said the grant award will help municipalities maintain the size of their current police forces without the need to downsize.  Police protection is extremely important and we all need to work together to recognize and maximize opportunities for obtaining funding, Shaw said.  Shaw further noted that the purchase of police vehicles will assist local auto dealers and suppliers of police equipment, as well as the auto industry in general.  

CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced today that he was extremely pleased with passage of the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.

Shaw reported that Act 132 was signed by the Governor on October 17, 2008, and becomes effective on July 1, 2009. "This could not be better timing," Shaw said.

Following a long and difficult winter, many home owners are going to require home improvements and roof repairs. It is unfortunate that seniors who are in desperate need of home repairs are swindled by unsavory contractors. "Every year my office receives a number of complaints from senior citizens who have been ripped-off."

Shaw said that in the past it was extremely difficult to prosecute contractors who failed to perform agreed upon home improvement repairs after receiving payment. Under those circumstances, the issue was controlled by principals of contract law and was required to be resolved in civil court, as opposed to criminal court. In the past, many seniors who were unable to afford the cost of a private attorney were left with few options.

CLEARFIELD - Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr. announced today that a Clearfield County resident has been sentenced to state prison for aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Shaw identified the defendant as 21 year old Joshua Andrew Hughes of Becarria.  Currently Hughes is being housed in the Clearfield County Jail pending transfer to the State Prison System.

A criminal complaint filed on January 26, 2009, by Trooper Kimberly Ronan of the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield Barracks, charged Hughes with aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age and corruption of minors.