On January 23, 2026, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office held its annual award ceremony that honors prosecutors, law enforcement, and other stakeholders whose dedication and service play a critical role in keeping Chester County safe and protected.
Commendation Given to the Chester County Drug Court Program
The Chester County Drug Court Team was presented with a Commendation Award for their partnership and outstanding commitment to addressing substance use disorders through a treatment-focused approach within the criminal justice system. Through the dedicated efforts of President Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Department of Drug and Alcohol Services, and Adult Probation and Pretrial Services, the drug court team helps non-violent offenders suffering from drug addiction. The program was founded in 1997. Since its inception,1,652 people have completed the program—a 62% completion rate. Approximately 95% of those who completed the program were employed at the time that they graduated, and 87% of those that completed the program were arrest-free for at least the next two years of their life.
Citations Given for Three Successful Murder Prosecutions
Three teams of prosecutors and investigators were recognized for their work in solving and successfully prosecuting the following murder cases:
In 2023, Defendant Quinzell Mickey fatally shot William Stafford outside of a car in West Vincent Township. After a hung jury at the beginning of 2025, the team of investigators and trial attorneys retried the Defendant in June of 2025. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Defendant Raheem Pinder pled guilty to third-degree murder and other related charges and was sentenced to 25 years in prison as a result. Investigators used modern cell phone mapping technology and other investigative tools to tie the Defendant and his accomplices to the crime scene in Phoenixville Borough and solve the 2020 murder of Ira Solomon.
A large team of state and local law enforcement officers were recognized as part of the prosecution of Mamadou Kallie. The Defendant was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder for killing two women—one of whom who was pregnant with the Defendant’s unborn child. The Defendant was arrested in 2022 after a gunpoint standoff with law enforcement.
Four Recognized for Law Enforcement Excellence
Detective Joseph Nangle was the recipient of the Chester County Detective of the Year Award. Although many of Detective Nangle’s cases are worked in partnership with, and prosecuted in, other jurisdictions, he was recognized for his commitment to investigating drug trafficking and other violent crimes while ensuring that the County Detectives have access to the latest technologies in their investigations.
Phoenixville Borough Detective Sergeant Nicholas Natale was announced as the recipient of this year’s award for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. This award was given not only to recognize Sgt. Natale’s work in the homicide investigation and prosecution of Raheem Pinder, but also because he is a key contributor to Chester County’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigations.
Matthew Waxler received the Administrative Professional of the Year Award for his daily efforts and dedication to keeping the District Attorney’s Office running efficiently. Matt has spent his 13-year career in the pretrial unit, ensuring that cases are properly prepared for attorneys and coordinating with the prison and other counties for inmate exchanges. His friendliness and attention to details are just a few of the many reasons as to why he is a silent hero in the office.
Deputy District Attorney Renee Merion received the award for Prosecutor of the Year. DDA Merion retired in June of 2025, after over 30 years of service with the District Attorney’s Office. Renee was an expert in Juvenile Justice, and a prosecutor of juvenile cases in the DA’s Office for over two decades. She was tapped by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to serve on its Juvenile Rules Committee and became a go-to advisor for prosecutors across the Commonwealth. While presenting the award, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe discussed how Renee’s cases almost always happen outside of the limelight and thanked her for her years of selfless service.
The award recipients were:
- Prosecutor of the Year – Deputy District Attorney Renee Merion
- Chester County Detective of the Year – Detective Joseph Nangle
- Administrative Professional of the Year – Matthew Waxler
- Law Enforcement Officer of the Year – Detective Seargent Nicholas Natale, Phoenixville Borough Police Department
- DAO Commendation: Chester County Drug Court Team
- DAO Citation: Investigation and Prosecution of Quinzell Mickey
- DAO Citation: Investigation and Prosecution of Mamadou Kallie
- DAO Citation: Investigation and Prosecution of Raheem Pinder
