The Honesdale Borough Police have announced the arrest of John J. Visci. Visci was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in California with the aid of a fugitive task force.
Visci was wanted by the Honesdale Borough Police on two warrants regarding the theft of money from the American Legion Post #254 and the Wayne County Veterans Center.
The task force consisted of US Marshalls and members of the Orange County, CA  Sheriff’s Dept.  The Task Force had been provided with an address that was obtained by the Honesdale Police Department.  Honesdale Police obtained the address where Visci was staying by tracking his cell phone and email usage. Honesdale Police in conjunction with the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office had obtained several court orders to authorize the electronic surveillance.  The information obtained as a result eventually led to the discovery of the address where Visci was eventually apprehended.
The fugitive task force conducted surveillance on the address and determined that Visci was in fact living at the residence. On the night of Monday, April 14, 2008, the fugitive task force surrounded the residence and made contact with Visci.  Visci surrendered to the authorities without incident.
Visci was charged as a fugitive from justice and failed to post $50,000 bail. Visci is currently incarcerated in the Orange County Jail awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania.
The Honesdale Borough Police has been working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Task Force. The search for Visci had been narrowed down to the California area, states Deputy Chief Joe LoBasso.
  District Attorney Michael Lehutsky commented, “I have to commend the Honesdale Borough Police on their diligent pursuit of Mr. Visci.  John Visci took more than money from his victims – he betrayed a sense of brotherhood that exists among Wayne County’s Veterans.  Visci will be returned to Wayne County as soon as possible and will have to answer for that breach of trust.”
On December 14, 2007, Honesdale Police reported that a warrant had been issued, accusing Visci of stealing approximately $29,000.00 from the American Legion Major David Mc Kelvey Peterson Post 254 located in Honesdale.
Visci, who was age 60, is alleged to have used his position as Finance Officer at Post 254 to steal from the American Legion during the period March 2006 through November 2007.
While investigating the previous incident, Police said it was discovered that Visci had also allegedly stolen $1,000 from the Wayne County Veterans Center. Visci was the Chairman/Executive Director of the Wayne County Veterans Center, which was set up as a place for all veterans in the county to seek help, support and information.
Bernard Harvey, vice-commander at Post 254 commented Tuesday, “Everybody is real happy; we’re glad he was caught... now we need to get him back here and hear what he says in court.”
Post 254 glad for donation
Bernard Harvey, vice-commander at Post 254 stated that the money taken from the Legion was from an account started when they sold their old headquarters building. The Post had been using the interest from the fund. The veterans were faced with little funds to meet their expenses, but Harvey announced that the Sons of the Legion have donated $1,000 to Post 254. He said this will provide the $600 needed for their annual scholarships given to four Wayne Highlands students, to attend Keystone Boys State and the Police Academy.
Post 254 has set their next meeting April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Wayne County Visitors Center, where election of officers will be held. Harvey started they will be continuing, and expect to elect a new commander that evening. Commander Steven Mootha has indicated his interest in retiring.

[Editor's note: Honesdale Police issued a correction to their earlier report, stating that Visci was not apprehended as a result of a traffic stop, as was published previously.]