Latest News
September 6, 2018

Charges tossed in Charleroi assault case after woman recants story

By Stacy Wolford

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
A Charleroi woman who accused her boyfriend of striking her toddler with a baby gate told a judge Thursday she fabricated the entire story because she was blackmailed by an ex.
On Aug. 19, Jaime Ramsey told Charleroi Officer Chase Colucci that Wesley Roberts, 19, of Lincoln Avenue, tried to strangle her, struck her 3-year-old in the face with a baby gate and threatened to kick her 7-month-old baby.
Roberts was charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, theft, two counts of making terroristic threats and three counts of simple assault.
During a preliminary hearing Thursday, Magisterial District Judge Larry Hopkins told Ramsey she would have to explain what happened to him because her first story led to felony charges against Roberts.
“You’re telling me this is all made up?” Hopkins asked. Ramsey answered, “yes.” Hopkins held up a copy of the criminal complaint and again asked, “Everything is a lie here?”
“Yes, nothing happened,” Ramsey testified. “Wesley came up because I asked him to come over. We were in a fight and we had sex and I asked him if we could get back together and he said, ‘No.’”
Hopkins asked why she would make up a story about Roberts assaulting her and her child and Ramsey said, “Because my child’s father told me to. Because I’m afraid of him.”

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Friday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com

West Mifflin Area celebrates opening of performing arts center
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
March 12, 2026
A grand opening celebration was held Wednesday for the high school’s new auditorium. After more than a year of being closed, West Mifflin Area High School’s auditorium is finally open. A grand opening...
BVA to bring the magic of ‘Wizard of Oz’ to life
Features, Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
March 12, 2026
The curtain goes up at 7 tonight at Belle Vernon Area High School for the annual spring musical. The Yellow Brick Road is leading straight to Belle Vernon Area High School as more than 100 students wi...
Will independents ever get to vote in Pa. primaries?
Latest News, Main
Advocates hope a lawsuit moves the needle
March 12, 2026
The suit argues Pennsylvania’s closed primaries violate the state constitution by giving Democrats and Republicans more voting power than independents. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and...
Potential buyer emerges for City Mission building
Latest News, Main
CITY OF MONONGAHELA
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
March 12, 2026
Monongahela Heritage Church is eyeing the downtown location for a thrift store for the community. The City Mission Thrift Store plans to close its Monongahela location on Saturday, but a potential buy...
2nd man charged in 2022 fatal shooting
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
March 12, 2026
The alleged murder took place in a Rostraver Township shopping plaza parking lot on Nov. 5, 2022. By RENATTA SIGNORINI TribLive A second person has been charged in connection with a Nov. 5, 2022, fata...