REYNOLDSVILLE BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – Two Jefferson County residents are facing felony charges after a private meeting was recorded and then sent to the Mayor of Reynoldsville.
Court documents indicate that the Reynoldsville Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 37-year-old Desiree Fletcher and 29-year-old Jeremy Scott Appleton, both of Reynoldsville.
According to a criminal complaint, on December 3, 2018, Officer Murray of the Reynoldsville Borough Police Department was contacted by the manager of the Ridgewood Greene apartments who stated that she was going to meet with Desiree Fletcher in reference to an eviction notice. The manager asked Officer Murray to confirm what Fletcher had previously stated about a known individual staying at her apartment.
The complaint notes the manager called back a short time later to inform Officer Murray that Fletcher denied she told Officer Murray that the known individual was staying in the apartment. Officer Murray then responded to the meeting.
According to the complaint, on January 11, 2019, Jeremy Appleton contacted Reynoldsville Mayor Louis Caltagarone Jr. in reference to an audio recording he wanted the mayor to hear. Appleton then emailed the recording to the Borough.
Officer Murray also listened to the recording and recognized the conversation from the meeting on December 3.
The complaint notes that Officer Murray and the apartment manager did not know the meeting was being recorded.
According to the complaint, Chief Troy Bell attempted to contact Fletcher by phone on January 15, 2019, and Appleton answered the phone. Appleton confirmed that he provided the audio file to the mayor via email.
During an interview with Fletcher on January 16, Fletcher admitted, in a written statement, that she was the one who recorded the conversation, according to the complaint. Fletcher also stated that it was Appleton who told her to do it and said she used her cell phone to record the audio.
Based on the investigation, charges were filed in Magisterial District Judge David B. Inzana’s office.
Fletcher was arraigned at 2:55 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, on the following charges:
– Intercept Communications, Felony 3
– Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Felony 3
She remains free on $20,000.00 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, with Judge Inzana presiding.
Appleton faces the following charges:
– Intercept Communications, Felony 3
– Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Felony 3 (two counts)
– Disclose Intercepted Communications, Felony 3
He is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing.
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