Lebanon County District Attorney's Office

PRESS RELEASE: ANNVILLE COUPLE CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE FELONY COUNTS FOR THE PROLONGED ASSAULT AND ABUSE OF THEIR FIVE ADOPTED CHILDREN LEBANON, PENNSYLVANIA Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf announced charges against an Annville couple for the prolonged assault and abuse of their five (5) adopted children. On February 2, 2021, the Lebanon County Detective Bureau charged Stephanie A. Duncan and Robert Duncan with multiple Counts of Aggravated Assault, Simple As...Continue reading

Senator David Arnold lost his battle with cancer early this morning. As our former District Attorney, he fought against heinous criminals and remained a zealous advocate for our most vulnerable citizens. He remained a trial lawyer to the core - long hours spent in preparation which led to brilliant arguments in Court. Senator Arnold taught by example; he was humble, kind, and believed deeply in public service. When he transitioned to the Senate, he continued his fight for... the citizens of our community. Fourteen months ago, he was diagnosed with a vicious form of brain cancer. The fight in him never left. He worked tirelessly in Harrisburg, underwent every treatment with courage, and went home at night as a loving husband to Alicia and father to Reese. While the words 'courageous, valiant, and determined' certainly describe Senator Arnold, they fail to do him the true justice he deserves. The Senate, our community, and all of those who knew Senator Arnold suffered a tremendous loss today. My thoughts and prayers, and those of our Office, remain with his family at this time. -DA Pier Hess Graf

Last Friday, a Lebanon County Jury convicted Joseph Graves of Intimidation of a Victim, Corruption of Minors, Indecent Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of Children. The Lebanon County Detective Bureau investigated the case; Senior Deputy District Attorney Megan Ryland Tanner tried the case for the Commonwealth. During trial, the victim testified. He told the jury the Defendant assaulted him in 2014, when he was just seven years old. The victim initially told no one ab...out the assault. The victim testified the Defendant told him if he came forward, he would attack the victim’s grandmother. Graves is pending another trial in October 2020 on charges of Prohibited Offensive Weapons, Possession of Firearm or other Dangerous Weapon in a Court Facility, and False Identification to Law Enforcement. The Defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on December 23, 2020; he will be required to register as a sexual offender with the Pennsylvania State Police for the remainder of his life.

Following a two day trial, a Lebanon County Jury convicted 52 year old James Diegel from Cleona with Corruption of Minors and Endangering the Welfare of Children last week. Detective David Shaffer of the Lebanon County Detective Bureau investigated the case and filed charges. Senior Deputy District Attorney Megan Ryland Tanner prosecuted the case for the Commonwealth. The jury convicted the Defendant of inappropriate contact and conduct with a teenage girl in Cleona Borough... in 2019. The Defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on December 23, 2020 before the Honorable Bradford H. Charles. The Defendant has a prior conviction for various sexual offenses. In 2002, the Defendant pled guilty to Criminal Solicitation to Rape a Child. Due to his heinous prior record, and the nature of his current offense, the Defendant faces a mandatory sentence of 25-50 years in state prison.

Following a two day trial, a Lebanon County Jury convicted 55 year old Robert Uhler from Annville with 4 counts of Rape of a Child, 5 counts of Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Child, and 5 counts of Indecent Assault. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Lebanon County Detective Bureau in October of 2019. Uhler sexually assaulted a child for five years; he started when the little girl was six years old. Senior Deputy District Attorney Megan Ryland Tanner ...prosecuted the case; County Detective David Shaffer investigated the case. During trial, the victim faced her attacker and testified. She told the jury Uhler abused her nearly every day. The Defendant failed to appear for and attend his own trial. He disappeared on September 11, 2020, a week and half before his trial was slated to begin. The Commonwealth presented evidence of the flight, and argued the Defendant did so solely to delay his trial. A bench warrant was issued at the conclusion of trial. A sentencing date cannot be scheduled until Uhler is arrested. Once sentenced Uhler will be required to register as a sexual offender with the Pennsylvania State Police for the remainder of his life. Both the Lebanon County Detective Bureau and Lebanon County Sherriff’s Department are actively looking for Defendant so that he may be held accountable for his heinous crimes. If you have information on the whereabouts of Robert Uhler, contact law enforcement immediately.

JON SHANFELDER OF RICHLAND CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE CRIMES RELATING TO VANDALISM AND THEFT Law enforcement across Lebanon County charged and arrested Jon Shanfelder, aged twenty-four of Richland, Pennsylvania, with multiple crimes relating to an overnight crime spree of vandalism and theft. We’ve reached a sad time in our world when every police officer is labeled a ‘bastard’ simply because he or she wears a uniform. Vile crimes like those committed by this Defendant are the... reason good, law-abiding citizens of our community fear showing their support of police. I want to be clear, my Office and the law enforcement of Lebanon County will not tolerate violent, destructive behavior. Criminals like the Defendant will be arrested and prosecuted. The chaos we’ve seen across the Country will not become the norm for Lebanon, said District Attorney Hess Graf. The Pennsylvania State Police, North Lebanon Township Police, and South Lebanon Township Police filed Felony Criminal Mischief, ten Counts of Theft, Criminal Trespass, and three Counts of Loitering and Prowling at Nighttime against the Defendant. Victims reported the following overnight criminal activity at their homes and businesses: 1. A vandal spray-painted ‘Racist’ on the side of a pick-up truck; 2. A vandal spray-painted ‘ACAB’ [all cops are bastards] on a private home; 3. A vandal spray-painted the outside and inside of two (2) pieces of farm machinery; 4. Multiple thefts of political and Donald Trump yard signs; 5. Thefts of American flags; 6. Theft of ‘we support our police’ signs; 7. Thefts of, and damage to, large banners in support of Donald Trump; and 8. Covered homes and vehicles with ‘Black Lives Matter’ stickers. Law enforcement received information the Defendant, Jon Shanfelder, committed the above-referenced crimes. The Pennsylvania State Police located the Defendant at his residence in Richland; police took the Defendant into custody. During his interview, the Defendant admitted he both stole and damaged the political flags with a box cutter, spray painted ‘Racist’ and ‘ACAB’ on private property, and vandalized vehicles and the farm equipment. State Police immediately arrested the Defendant. Arraignment occurred before Magisterial District Justice Anthony Verna; Judge Verna set bail at a total of $60,000 based on a request from the Commonwealth.

Great work NCPD

To our first responders, our police, our firemen, our everyday people who never thought they’d be called to action, we will never forget 9/11. Today, the true way to honor the fallen and their sacrifice is to remember the love and the feeling of community on 9/12. We live in the land of the free because of the brave.

WE ARE HIRING! The District Attorney's Office is hiring for the position of full-time, Assistant District Attorney. If you, or someone you know, has a passion for criminal justice and a desire to help victims and our community, apply at http://www.lebcounty.org//Huma/Pages/JobAnnouncements.aspx