Quakertown student protester to have charges dismissed in police clash

Felony charges are expected to be dismissed against one of the Quakertown teenagers arrested following a police confrontation that turned violent during a student-led ICE protest last month.

Easton attorney Don Souders Jr., who represents a 16-year-old boy, confirmed March 18 that he anticipates his client’s case will be resolved at a juvenile court hearing March 20. His client had been a participant in a protest Feb. 20 against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics.

“The district attorney’s office has extended an offer that will result in the dismissal of both felony charges against him,” Souders said.

Misdemeanor and summary charges including disorderly conduct will remain and, if a judge approves, his client would be diverted out of the juvenile court system.

He would remain on probationary supervision for six months and his current house arrest will end, Souders said, adding that his client doesn’t admit guilt under the agreement.

“If he remains compliant, as I am certain he will, the remaining charges will be dismissed and, thereafter, expunged,” Souders said, adding that he was grateful to the district attorney’s office for its “empathetic and objective approach to my client’s case.”

Souders added there will be some additional “appropriate” conditions attached to the agreement.

The other teenage defendants are also scheduled to appear in juvenile court March 20.

Attorney Sara Webster, who represents another student protester, said the hearing is to review the house arrest and electronic monitoring status of the teens, who are not in custody while their cases progress through the system.

The so-called “Quakertown 5” are facing charges in juvenile court including felony aggravated assault stemming from their off-campus ICE protest.

At least 35 Quakertown Community High School students walked off campus and into the downtown business district after school officials canceled a student-planned on-campus demonstration over threats.

Five students were arrested after a physical confrontation took place with Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree, 72, who entered a group of protesters in an attempt to detain a student after a police officer alleged that she walked in the street despite being warned.

McElree was in plain clothes and allegedly didn’t identify himself as a police officer. Attorneys for the students contend that their clients didn’t know who McElree was when he put his hands on the girl, believing instead that he was a counterprotester.

The confrontation captured on multiple cellphone videos and widely shared on social media shows McElree allegedly placing a 15-year-old girl in what appears to be a chokehold before taking her to the ground. He also became physical with other teens who attempted to move McElree away from the girl that he was trying to take into custody.

At least three of the five students arrested suffered injuries that required medical treatment, according to their attorneys.

McElree, who serves as police chief and borough manager, is out on workers’ compensation leave for injuries he sustained during the protest. His supporters contend that the students should be punished for their actions and are circulating a petition calling to keep McElree as chief.

The chief has faced community backlash, including multiple demonstrations calling for the Bucks County DA to drop the charges against the students and demanding that McElree step down from his positions for his actions during the protest.

The incident prompted the Bucks County district attorney to open an investigation into the police conduct during the protest, which remains active.