Thank you for 1,000 Spotify downloads! As of August 1, 2025, our Crooked Whitpain podcast has reached a major milestone. To celebrate, we’re looking back at the key developments we’ve uncovered – from the Donte Perez Jones case and allegations of Whitpain Township discrimination to the eye-opening content of our first five podcast episodes. This journey has always been about shining a light on truth and holding township supervisors accountable, and your support shows that our community’s story is being heard far and wide.
https://crookedwhitpain.com/crooked-whitpain-podcast/
Donte Perez Jones vs. Whitpain Township: A Fight for Answers
Donté “Donte” Perez Jones was a 35-year-old Black U.S. Army veteran and father of three whose death sparked a movement for justice in Whitpain Township. On June 17, 2022 – during Juneteenth weekend – Donte’s body was found hanging from playground equipment at Wentz Run Park, just behind the Whitpain police station. Police quickly labeled it an apparent suicide, but Donte’s family immediately suspected foul play. His mother, LaTina Dean, recalled Donte once telling her: “Mom, if anyone ever tells you I committed suicide, don’t believe them.”
This conviction, along with a series of disturbing details, fueled the family’s belief that Donte was lynched and that authorities rushed to cover up a murder.
Why the family doubts the suicide ruling:
- Donte’s feet were touching the ground when he was found – hard to reconcile with a hanging death.
- He bore unexplained bruises and injuries on his body, suggesting a struggle.
- His wallet and personal items were missing, and only his ID and keys were recovered.
- Donte lived almost an hour away in Sharon Hill and had no ties to Blue Bell, a predominantly white suburb.
Loved ones ask: Why would he drive to an unfamiliar township in the middle of the night to harm himself, especially when he was looking forward to summer with his kids and studying for a new career?
Township’s response and the role of Supervisors:
The official reaction from Whitpain Township’s leadership has been a point of contention. Initially, the Whitpain Police reopened the playground within hours of discovering Donte’s body and, according to the family, refused to let them view the scene. In the days that followed, Whitpain’s Board of Supervisors (the township’s elected officials) remained largely silent. Citing a policy of not commenting on suicides, the Township Solicitor advised the Board not to discuss the case publicly – even as residents pleaded for transparency.
At an October 2022 supervisors’ meeting, a local group called “Whitpain for Justice” asked the Board to address concerns of a possible homicide and lack of investigation. The Solicitor responded that police had determined it was a suicide, therefore no public safety alert was needed, and that an autopsy (plus a second independent review) confirmed the suicide finding. He acknowledged a statement was eventually made “four days later” solely to quell “misinformation” circulating publicly.
In short, township officials doubled down on the suicide ruling and defended the police’s handling of the case. The Township Supervisors have been criticized for their stance throughout this ordeal. Vice-Chair Michele Minnick stated the Board would “not interfere” with how the police conduct investigations, stressing that the Chief and his staff “made what they believed were the correct decisions.” Supervisor Scott Badami even went on record to say the entire Board “stands behind [Chief] Lawson and his officers,” making clear the township’s loyalty to its police leadership.
This unwavering support came despite community outcry that Donte’s family was treated insensitively and that key evidence may have been destroyed or ignored. For example, the park’s only security camera was mysteriously not recording that morning (reportedly due to a malfunction), and no surveillance footage has ever been released. Additionally, no township official extended condolences or acknowledgment to Donte’s family.
On the day of Donte’s funeral, his family held a peaceful vigil in the park – township leaders did not attend or publicly comment, and police officers merely stood by in silence. Many residents, especially people of color, reported feeling less safe and “terrified” by the township’s apparent indifference.
Key developments since that tragic day have revolved around the family’s fight for answers and the township’s refusal to revisit the case. Donte’s loved ones launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund an independent autopsy and legal action. They engaged civil rights groups like the NAACP and reached out to state officials. Online, a grassroots campaign took shape: the r/WhitpainTownship subreddit became a hub for whistleblowers and concerned citizens, accumulating over 800,000 views in a week at its peak. Social media posts with hashtags like #JusticeForDonte and #CrookedWhitpain spread the story far beyond Blue Bell.
By highlighting patterns of alleged misconduct in Whitpain, supporters drew parallels between Donte’s case and other incidents of racial injustice in the township. This pressure has not let up – even national media outlets took notice. In late June 2022, Black Enterprise ran a feature on Donte’s family “demanding answers” about his death, amplifying questions like how Donte’s feet could be on the ground if he hanged himself. What started as a local tragedy has become a rallying cry for accountability, placing Whitpain Township under an unprecedented spotlight.
The Township’s Broader Discrimination Saga
Donte Perez Jones’s case is not an isolated story – it’s part of a broader pattern of discrimination and cover-up allegations in Whitpain Township. Our research and podcast have uncovered multiple instances where Black residents or whistleblowers say they were failed by township authorities:
Uninvestigated crimes
Community members point to other unsolved or unprosecuted incidents involving people of color – for example, a home invasion targeting a Black family in Whitpain where “obvious suspects” were allegedly identified but never charged. In another case, a disabled Black child’s abuse was reportedly ignored by officials. Each incident follows a troubling theme: when victims are Black or mixed-race, Whitpain’s leadership seemingly turns a blind eye.
Retaliation and lawsuits
A mixed-race couple (Scott Testa and Hulda Dick) claim they faced discrimination and retaliation after their Blue Bell home was burglarized. Despite providing clear video evidence identifying two suspects, they allege Whitpain police refused to press felony charges on those individuals. One suspect (Brent Bowers) was only cited for minor offenses, and the other (Dr. Douglas Cassera) wasn’t charged at all. Frustrated, the couple filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the township in 2024, accusing Whitpain authorities of failing to investigate because the victims were an interracial family.
Shockingly, Reddit posts even claim that a bribe was paid by a suspect’s wealthy father to protect his son from prosecution – a claim that, if true, suggests corruption at the highest levels. In retaliation for the lawsuit, Whitpain’s Supervisors attempted a legal move to block Mr. Testa from renting his properties, but a judge struck it down as abusive.
Allegations within the police force
Even Whitpain’s own former officers have spoken up. Jamil Van, a Black ex-police officer, filed a discrimination lawsuit after allegedly facing racist treatment in the department. Meanwhile, Whitpain Police Chief Ken Lawson has been named in multiple federal civil rights lawsuits by different plaintiffs, highlighting ongoing accusations of racial bias and civil rights violations under his watch.
Each new legal case adds weight to the argument that Whitpain’s problems are systemic, not just one-offs.
Through all these examples, the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors has often been singled out for enabling or ignoring the issues. The Crooked Whitpain website explicitly lists the names of all six current Supervisors – Scott Badami, Kimberly Koch, Jeff Campolongo, Joyce Keller, Sarah Silverrian, and Michele Minnick – alongside police and staff, calling them out for a “troubling pattern that demands accountability.” These officials are accused of standing by as evidence is withheld, open-records requests are stonewalled, and taxpayer money is spent fighting (rather than addressing) discrimination claims.
The Crooked Whitpain Podcast: Episodes 1–5 Highlights
Our podcast, Crooked Whitpain, was created to document these very stories and push for the transparency our township sorely needs. In honor of hitting 1,000 downloads, here’s a look at the first five episodes and their core themes. (If you missed any, now’s the perfect time to catch up!)
Episode 1 – “Black and Ignored: The Whitpain Township Scandal” – Kicking off the series, this episode provides a broad overview of the allegations rocking Whitpain Township. We delve into citizen-led investigations and online discussions portraying Whitpain’s government as “crooked.” Key topics include alleged police corruption and racial bias, the unsolved death of Donte Perez Jones, an uninvestigated home invasion against a Black family, and multiple civil rights lawsuits filed by residents. (Theme: Opening eyes to Whitpain’s hidden troubles and the power of community whistleblowers.)
Episode 2 – “Whitpain Police Chief Ken Lawson – Multiple Federal Lawsuits” – In this episode, we zero in on Whitpain’s police leadership and the mounting legal accusations they face. We discuss how Chief Lawson and other officials have been named in federal 42 U.S.C. §1983 lawsuits, reflecting claims of constitutional rights violations and discrimination. (Theme: Challenging Whitpain’s power structure and asking why those sworn to protect and serve are facing accusations of harming their own community.)
Episode 3 – “A Troubling History of Discrimination, Illegality, and Institutional Cover-Ups” – This chapter digs into Whitpain’s history of racial discrimination and corruption as laid out by community evidence. We spotlight the September 19, 2024 robbery of Dr. Scott Testa and Hulda Dick’s home, a case that has become a focal point for allegations of township misconduct. We break down how over $30,000 in property was stolen, yet Whitpain police allegedly shielded one suspect from serious charges – reportedly after a bribe was paid by that suspect’s father to the department. (Theme: Unveiling a pattern of corruption and how citizens are uniting to confront it.)
Episode 4 – “Whitpain Township Cover-Up? The Mysterious Death of Donté Perez Jones” – Here we dedicate a full episode to Donte’s case, examining why so many believe there’s a cover-up. We walk listeners through the conflicting narratives: the official suicide verdict vs. the family’s conviction that Donte was murdered. (Theme: Seeking truth and justice for Donte – a case study in how a community challenges an official story.)
Episode 5 – “Donte Perez Jones Murder Case: 3 Baffling Clues That Point to Lynching in Whitpain Township” – Our latest episode continues Donte’s story, diving even deeper into the evidence and its broader implications. We outline three major clues that have convinced Donte’s family and supporters that his death was not a suicide but a racially motivated killing. Despite the heavy topic, we end on a note of hope and empowerment – highlighting the vigils, petitions, and nationwide support that have emerged, and reminding our audience that by sharing Donte’s story, they’re part of a movement that demands answers.
A Milestone for Our Movement 🎉
Reaching 1,000 downloads is more than just a number – it’s a testament to community solidarity and the importance of these stories. What started as a local blog and podcast is now a growing platform: our hashtag campaigns have drawn national attention, and people far beyond Whitpain are tuning in to support the call for justice. The public reception has been incredible. Neighbors, activists, and even former township insiders have come forward with tips and encouragement. Major media outlets have started asking questions of their own, and local officials can no longer ignore the spotlight.
Most of all, this milestone is a celebration of you – our listeners and readers. Every download, share, and review means the world to us because it spreads the message that accountability matters. Together, we’ve turned what some tried to dismiss as “isolated incidents” into a chorus of voices calling for change.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this journey. As we look ahead, we remain committed to uncovering the truth and championing those who’ve been ignored or silenced. The road to justice in Whitpain Township is long, but with 1,000+ listens strong, we’re more inspired than ever to keep going.
Here’s to the next chapter of Crooked Whitpain – and to a future where transparency, equality, and accountability prevail in our community. Onward! 🎊
https://crookedwhitpain.com/crooked-whitpain-podcast/
Keywords: Donte Perez Jones; Whitpain discrimination; township supervisors; Crooked Whitpain