DA's Office Issues Update On "Quakertown 5" Investigation

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The five juveniles arrested on Feb. 20 for allegedly assaulting police during a student walkout in Quakertown have agreed to enter diversionary programs to resolve their cases.

The juveniles, who have since become known in the community as the "Quakertown 5," were arrested by the Quakertown Borough Police Department for allegedly assaulting police officers, including Police Chief Scott McElree, during a scuffle in downtown Quakertown.

"Upon closer scrutiny of additional evidence, including video footage obtained after the initial filing of charges, our office withdrew aggravated assault and other charges in instances where those charges were unsupported by the evidence as a whole," the DA's office said.

The DA then offered diversionary options to all five juveniles based on the facts of each case and each juvenile’s history and circumstances. The diversionary programs are designed to meet the needs of each juvenile and to help them expunge the records of the arrests, the DA's office said.

"As of today, each of the five juveniles has agreed to resolve their cases through diversionary programs, including two new diversion options that the District Attorney introduced after taking office," the DA's office said.

While the matters were pending, the DA's office said it refrained from commenting on the details of the cases for two reasons. First, the protections of the Juvenile Act require prosecutors to exercise restraint in commenting about matters involving minors, who are charged via delinquency petition.

"Protecting the rights of the accused is central to the mission of prosecutors, and this responsibility is particularly important with respect to juveniles," said the DA's office.

"Second, the juveniles who were arrested in this case have been subjected to intense, if not unprecedented, public scrutiny. Whenever possible, our office supports remedies such as record expungement that help young people minimize the long-term consequences and stigma of arrests," the DA's office said. "Given how much information about these juveniles has circulated on the internet, our office sought to exercise an appropriate degree of care in disclosing details about their cases until all matters were resolved."

The incident has received considerable media attention, both here and nationally.

Investigation Into Police Response

Since Feb. 21, the DA's office has been conducting an independent investigation into the Quakertown Borough Police Department’s response to the events of February 20.

"The conclusion of these five juvenile cases now brings that independent investigation into its final chapter," the DA's office said.

For the last four months, the DA's office said county detectives have worked to obtain all available evidence of the events. In addition to reviewing reports, statements, and other evidence provided by the Quakertown Borough Police Department, investigators sought and received assistance from the community in gathering evidence – including video footage – needed for a thorough investigation.

"Our investigators have asked the five juveniles, through their counsel, for their voluntary participation in this independent investigation," the DA's office said. "Now that each of the five juveniles has resolved their respective cases, we are working with their attorneys to ensure that our investigators provide a full and equal opportunity for witnesses such as these to have their voices heard."