Woman Would Like A Voice Of Her Own 
High-tech Machine Would Do The Talking For 
A Suffering Group-home Resident Who Can't

An Item Published On Page 2a Saturday Misidentified The Country Of Origin Of A 
Diplomat Attending A Panel Discussion At Wilkes University Tonight. James J.

By BILL PEACE; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Monday, December 05, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





NANTICOKE -- Neighbors of a West Union Street man accused of drug dealing
said they never expected to see a raid netting 12 pounds of marijuana, $25,000
and two assault weapons in their quiet neighborhood. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It just gives you the willies," said one woman who spoke on condition of
anonymity. "He was just like everyone else; he never bothered with anyone." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "The old neighborhood is gone," said another woman who's lived on the block
for more than 40 years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Neighbors said they knew little about the 30-year-old suspect, Michael
Ascenzi -- only that he drove a black pickup and moved into the home with his
father in the 1980s. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I never carried a conversation with him," said one. "A lot of people on
this block either work full time or are housebound elderly. No one comes out." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 No one answered the door at the Ascenzi home Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ascenzi was arrested late Friday night by nearly a dozen Nanticoke officers
who said they seized 12 pounds of marijuana -- the largest drug seizure in
city history -- $25,657 cash, two semiautomatic assault rifles and three
handguns. He remained in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of
$40,000 bail on drug charges Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite their limited knowledge of Ascenzi, neighbors say some suspicions
surrounded activity near his house. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My neighbor across the street used to tell me there was lots of traffic
near their house and the cars wouldn't stay long," said a woman who spoke on
condition of anonymity. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 One neighbor who lives next to Ascenzi's house, which has a painted white
picket fence, a large evergreen in the front yard and two old chairs on the
front porch, said he knew Ascenzi, probably better than anyone in the
neighborhood, and was surprised by the arrest. But he declined to comment
further before closing his front door. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also arrested in the case was Joseph Moran, 26, of Broad Street, Pittston
Township. Police said he left Ascenzi's home with

Drug Raid Has Nanticoke Neighbors Shaking Heads, Wondering 
Quiet Suspect Didn't Bother With Anyone, They Say. 
The Community Just 
Isn't The Same After The Biggest 
Drug Seizure In City History

Drug Raid Has Nanticoke Neighbors Shaking Heads, Wondering Quiet Suspect Didn't Bother With Anyone, They Say. The Community Just Isn't The Same After The Biggest Drug Seizure In City History