District Court: Registered Sex Offender Waives Hearing

A Swissvale man accused of failing to obey laws regarding registered sexual offenders has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. 

Robert Brown, 41, is charged with a single count of failing to comply with registration of sexual offenders requirements.

The Allegheny County Sheriff's Department said it began conducting a compliance check on Brown on July 26. When sheriff’s deputies checked his place of employment at 2 Men and a Truck in Haysville, they said they learned Brown had been terminated July 15.

Deputies said Brown did not provide information about a current employer, nor did he give notification within 48 hours of a change in job status, as required. 

Deputies said Brown was convicted in 2007 and is legally considered to be a lifetime offender.

The following people were also charged and scheduled for preliminary hearings Aug. 9:

Held for court

• William Fortuna, 25, of Baden, charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. reported that Fortuna assaulted a woman around 9:30 p.m. July 23 at the corner of Main Street and Ambridge Avenue. Police said the woman had bruises on her arms and face and her left eye was black and almost swollen shut.

Waived

• Christopher Heres, 19, of Sewickley, charged with driving under the influence, underage drinking and driving without registration. said Heres stopped at the BP on Route 65 May 12 and stumbled a few times as he walked from his car toward three officers who were at the gas station. Heres was taken to Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital for a blood-alcohol test. Police did not report the results.

Postponed

• James Bibbs, 21, of Sewickley, charged with loitering and prowling at nighttime, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, obstructing highways. received a report June 23 of two males sitting in the middle of the roadway. Police found Bibbs sitting in the turning lane on Route 65 at Walnut Street. When Bibbs saw the officers, police said he ran and jumped a 4-foot fence, ran through a yard and jumped over another 7-foot fence. and also responded. Police found Bibbs hiding in the bushes in the 300 block of Bank Street. He stood, but refused to show his hands and started to run, police said. Officers shocked him with a Taser before evaluating him and taking him to the Coraopolis Police Department lock-up.

Reduced

• , 33, of Rochester, charged with four counts of corruption of minors and one count of retail theft. Leetsdale Police said Bowens stole $100 worth of fried chicken April 2 from  in Leetsdale with the help of two children.  Charges were reduced to retail theft and a fine, which was suspended along with a 90-day sentencing.