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WILKES-BARRE — A man facing homicide charges stemming from a fatal shooting last month on North Sherman Street is heading to higher court.
Tevon Thomas appeared before District Judge Thomas Malloy Sr. for a hearing in the Luzerne County Courthouse on Thursday. A security checkpoint was in place outside the courtroom.
Malloy waived Thomas’ charges of criminal homicide and conspiracy to commit criminal homicide to higher court. A single count of tampering with evidence was dismissed.
Thomas’ attorney Joseph G. Price said he “respects” Malloy’s decision to move the charges onto higher court, and added that it was a “proper decision” to dismiss the tampering with evidence charge.
Thomas, 24, of Wilkes-Barre, was arrested Oct. 5 outside the Luzerne County Courthouse ahead of a scheduled appearance to lift a bench warrant on theft charges. Details of the mid-afternoon arrest remained scarce for days, but documents filed Oct. 17 by Thomas’ attorney confirmed at the time that authorities believed Thomas to be a suspect in the fatal North Sherman Street shooting of 23-year-old Irvando Crooks last month.
Detective Charles Jensen confirmed Crooks as the victim during his testimony. Crooks was shot in the left leg and left side of his torso, according to Jensen. Luzerne County Coroner William Lisman testified the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death was homicide.
Thomas’ arrest papers were placed under seal following a court order issued the same day of his arrest. A Luzerne County judge ruled Wednesday that the documents be released strictly to Thomas’ attorney. The documents are to remain sealed until Nov. 5, Price said.
Prosecutors have maintained the documents should remain sealed for the protection of witnesses in the case.
Citing witness accounts, Jensen testified Thomas and Crooks both were known to deal drugs. Crooks went to a residence on North Sherman Street where Thomas and another suspect by the name of “Preky,” along with several others, were.
Wilkes-Barre City Police identified “Precky” as Keanu Pinnock, 19, also known as “Digi,” in a Facebook post hours after Thomas’ preliminary hearing.
Jensen testified Thomas was upset that Crooks had a man selling drugs, which prevented Thomas from having Pinnock working that position.
When Crooks arrived, he allegedly told Thomas he wanted his money and his two guns. Thomas then allegedly pulled out a handgun, chambered a round, pointed it at Crooks and said, “say I won’t do it, say I won’t do it, say I won’t do it.”
After a struggle that took both men to the ground, witnesses allegedly saw Thomas fire one shot and that Pinnock was struck in the face with the gun during the struggle. Witnesses then say Pinnock fired two shots at Crooks from behind, but it is unknown who fired the shot that allegedly killed Crooks.
Jensen also testified that witnesses did not see Crooks with a gun during the altercation.
The court also heard testimony from Luis Vallecillo, 20, who witnessed the alleged shooting. He described the incident as “random” and unplanned by either Pinnock or Thomas.
Vallecillo also testified that in the months leading up to the alleged shooting, Thomas, Pinnock and several others moved into his residence after mutual friends introduced them. Vallecillo also testified “meetings” would take place with numerous people, and he suspected it to be drug related after seeing large amounts of cash.
When asked why he did not contact police, Vallecillo said he was fearful of retaliation. He also testified that Thomas and Pinnock claimed to be with the Crips gang.
Vallecillo is currently jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on criminal trespass charges after he allegedly entered Crooks’ residence with an accomplice on Thomas’ orders to obtain firearms from the residence. Price argued that because Thomas did not physically tamper with evidence, he could not be charged.
Prosecutor Tony Ross was also pleased with the outcome of the hearing.
“We remain vigilant in our efforts to vigorously prosecute all crimes, especially so in cases like this that threaten the safety of our community and neighborhoods,” he said.
Thomas is scheduled for a formal arraignment at 10 a.m. on Jan. 6 in the Luzerne County Courthouse. He remains jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.