The person in charge of Nazareth’s emergency management operations allegedly hit two police vehicles with his SUV, injuring several officers, during his arrest Monday in a sex-trafficking sting by local and federal authorities, according to court records.
Mark A. Morella Jr., 38, whom authorities listed as having addresses in East Stroudsburg and Upper Nazareth Township, was charged with several felonies, including attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, attempted statutory sexual assault and unlawful contact with minor. He was arraigned Tuesday by District Judge Alicia Rose Zito and released on $15,000 bail, 10% of the $150,000 bail the judge set.
Morella is also charged with aggravated assault for injuring three officers by striking two law enforcement vehicles with his SUV in the incident, according to court records.
Colonial Regional Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted the sting, which was aimed at alleged child predators and human trafficking, along Overlook and Wegmans drives in Hanover Township, Northampton County.
Police could not be reached after business hours Tuesday for details of the arrest. An attorney for Morella listed on court documents, Sarah Hart Charette, and Nazareth Borough Council President Daniel Chiavaroli did not return telephone messages seeking comment.
Morella, who is listed on the borough’s website under emergency management, is also a member of the Vigilance Hose Fire Company No. 1 in Nazareth. The organization posted a statement on social media that said he was removed from service pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The actions of a single member will never define our department,” the department wrote in the post. “Our volunteers will continue to persevere in this difficult time. We will continue to provide the quality service that is the hallmark of our organization.”
Morella also faces a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering other people in connection with striking several law enforcement members, court records show.
©2024 The Morning Call. Visit mcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
