A former Bristol Borough landlord accused of terrorizing his tenant for several months now heads to Doylestown with charges held over for trial by a Bucks County District Judge earlier this month.
Angel Rivera Jr. 44 sat silently, with a walking cane in hand, for the almost two-hour preliminary hearing on October 18 at Bristol Borough District Court.
Prior to the hearing prosecutors moved to consolidate five cases against Rivera dating back to November of last year. All the charges filed against him were a part of his alleged efforts to intimidate, the victim and her family into moving out of the Buckley Street home because the victim had not paid rent since moving into the apartment in October of 2022, Rivera has said.
He has lost twice in eviction proceedings, according to court records, against the victim, losing thousands of dollars earlier this year.
In case number one charged with theft, criminal mischief, and related summary offenses were held over, for an October 2022 incident. A former friend testified Rivera hired him to rip off a Ring camera device near the front door of the victim’s apartment.
Charges for two June 2023 incidents were withdrawn.
A third June incident stemming from when Rivera was originally arrested and jailed on June 25, moved forward to trial. In that case he faces some of the most serious charges filed against him They include felony witness intimidation, felony criminal mischief and related offenses.
Witnesses’ and police officer Jimmer Ellis testified about those incidents and charges.
The victim under cross examination by Rivera’s attorney Paul Lang, Esq. of Parlow & Lang, answered barely above a whisper at times going through detail by detail of Rivera’s allegations against her. She maintained her composure when called a “squatter” by Lang.
An advocate from Bucks County NOVA provided supportive services throughout the hearing and during sequences when the former tenant was not testifying.
Assistant District Attorney Jovin Jose was “more than pleased with the outcome.”
“We accomplished what we wanted to,” he said.
The former landlord executed the sale of the Buckley St property around August 1 to a new owner, using the proceeds to bail himself out of jail after spending about 35 days in Bucks County Jail.
Rivera is next scheduled to appear for formal arraignment in Doylestown on November 17.
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