Morning Roundup: Indiana County inmate charged with felony contraband

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, May 10, 2023:

Indiana County inmate charged with felony contraband

An inmate at the Indiana County Jail has been charged with a felony contraband violation after state police said he was found in possession of suspected fentanyl.

Police said four stamp bags of the substance were found between the toes of John Richard Bence, 38, of Indiana, during an April 23 search at White Township jail.

Bence also is charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. He faces a June 26 preliminary hearing.

He is facing additional hearing dates on charges in other cases, including drug possession, criminal retention of medical marijuana and disorderly conduct, according to court documents.

He previously pleaded guilty to previous charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Crews battle Duquesne apartment fire

Firefighters battled a blaze Wednesday morning at an apartment complex in Duquesne.

The fire was contained to one apartment, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI.

The fire was reported shortly after 5 a.m. in the 1600 block of Duquesne Place Drive, an Allegheny County 911 dispatch supervisor said. No one was transported from the scene for treatment, according to the supervisor.

Additional details weren’t immediately available.

WPXI reported 35 people were displaced in a May 4 fire that damaged apartments in the 2500 block of Duquesne Place.

Greene County sheriff hospitalized after motorcycle crash

Greene County Sheriff Marcus Simms is recovering after suffering multiple injuries in a motorcycle crash Friday in the county.

Simms’ family told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI that he is in stable condition after being flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. They said he is expected to make a full recovery from injuries including a concussion and a broken orbital bone, sternum, hand, toe, ribs and vertebrae.

Simms, who was riding with friends and wearing protective gear, said he doesn’t remember the accident, the station reported.

State police said the crash happened at about 3:30 p.m. on Bobtown Road, near Big Foot Road, in Dunkard Township. Simms under-compensated while rounding a left curve, and the motorcycle left the road and struck a tree, police said.