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Security and contraband sweep performed at the Luzerne County Prison

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Irem Women’s Auxiliary to hold card party Oct. 17

<p>ASHLEY &#8212; A Plymouth man was arraigned Wednesday on charges he threatened to kill a borough police officer investigating a domestic dispute last month.</p><p>Frank William Shoppel, 40, taunted two officers, spat saliva that struck the lawmen and threatened to kill one of them, according to court records.</p><p>Police said Shoppel was intoxicated at the time and later committed himself for a mental health evaluation claiming any criminal charges won&#8217;t hold up in court.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint:</p><p>A borough police sergeant and the Sugar Notch police chief responded to Frederick Street where a woman claimed she arrived home to find her ex-boyfriend, Shoppel, was inside.</p><p>She told police Shoppel became enraged when she told him to leave.</p><p>Shoppel allegedly grabbed her by the neck and threatened to kill her.</p><p>When officers arrived, Shoppel taunted them and screamed, &#8220;Get the (expletive) off my porch,&#8221; and &#8220;I&#8217;ll kick your (expletive),&#8221; the complaint says.</p><p>Shoppel exited the residence and stood on the porch where police allege he yelled he had sex with the woman describing in detail the sex acts.</p><p>Officers warned Shoppel to stop yelling due to children in the neighborhood. In response, Shoppel yelled, &#8220;I don&#8217;t give a (expletive),&#8221; the complaint says.</p><p>Shoppel aggressively approached and spat saliva at the Ashley sergeant and retreated back into the house, holding the door closed with his body.</p><p>Police stunned Shoppel with a Taser during a struggle.</p><p>Shoppel allegedly continued to spit saliva inside the cruiser and at the sergeant while being transported to the Ashley Police Department. During the short ride, Shoppel told the officer, &#8220;As soon as you take these handcuffs off, I&#8217;m going to kill you,&#8221; the complaint says. </p><p>Police said Shoppel banged his head off a wall inside the holding cell and continued to say he was going to &#8220;beat up&#8221; the sergeant.</p><p>After Shoppel was transported to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, he claimed he was suicidal and wanted to be taken for a mental health evaluation at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. He told an officer he couldn&#8217;t be charged with any crimes because he is suicidal and wouldn&#8217;t stand up in court, according to the complaint.</p><p>Shoppel was arraigned by District Judge Matthew C. Christopher in Central Court on two counts of terroristic threats and one count each of aggravated harassment by a prisoner, resisting arrest, simple assault and disorderly conduct. He was jailed for lack of $20,000 bail.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_Frank-Shoppel-09042019.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Shoppel </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_Frank-Shoppel-09042019.jpg</photo0><caption0>Shoppel </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Police: Plymouth man threatens to kill police officers