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New weekend class format offered for Wilkes University graduate creative writing program

News for Seniors

<p>SCRANTON &#8212; A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted a convicted felon and alleged drug dealer from Bethlehem who was nabbed earlier this year by authorities in Hanover Township.</p><p>Federal prosecutors charged Clyford Francois, 36, with firearms offenses and possession with intention to distribute cocaine. Hanover Township police said they found 14 grams of cocaine and two unregistered handguns in Francois&#8217; vehicle during a traffic stop, according to a criminal complaint.</p><p>Francois, who allegedly admitted to police he sold cocaine, also allegedly stated he purchased the two weapons in Wilkes-Barre and Plymouth. Police found over $600 cash in Francois&#8217; possession, the complaint says.</p><p>In another run-in with Hanover Township police in October, Francois allegedly stole the car of a woman whom he had asked for a ride to Blackman Street in Wilkes-Barre, the complaint says.</p><p>After the woman agreed to the ride, Francois, who identified himself as &#8220;Jay,&#8221; asked her to stop and buy a pack of cigarettes. The complaint says when she stopped at the Star Gas Station on South Main Street, Francois drove off in her car, a 2003 Toyota Matrix.</p><p>Francois&#8217; arrest was part of the <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/494696/u-s-attorneys-office-announces-strategy-to-combat-violent-crime-in-wilkes-barre-other-cities" target="_blank">Violent Crime Reduction Partnership</a>, a regional initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the state&#8217;s Middle District, which includes most of northeastern and central Pennsylvania.</p><p>The effort, which will target gun offenses, gang activity and drug-related crimes, operates in select cities that include Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, York and Harrisburg.</p><p>Francois is currently jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $20,000 bail.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Joe Dolinsky</p><p>jdolinsky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Joe Dolinsky at 570-991-6110 or on Twitter @JoeDolinskyTL</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Bethlehem man arrested in Hanover Township indicted on federal drug and gun charges