PSA: Don't Like Facebook Photos if You Have a Restraining Order

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Clicking “Like” on Facebook landed a Jenkins Township man in hot water.

Justin Bellanco, 26, of South Main Street, was arraigned Tuesday on a contempt of court charge when he allegedly violated a no-contact restraining order when he “liked” photos on April Holland’s Facebook page.

Holland, 24, of Pittston, obtained a protection from abuse order against Bellanco on July 28, claiming Bellanco has been stalking and harassing her and her friends, and threatened to shoot her knee cap to watch her suffer, according to her PFA application.

Luzerne County Judge Lesa Gelb on Aug. 4 granted a restraining order against Bellanco, prohibiting him from having any contact with Holland for one year.

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Pittston police arrested Bellanco on Monday after Holland alleged he has been “liking” photos and videos she posted to her Facebook page, according to the criminal complaint.

Police allege Bellanco “liked” 22 photos and videos on Holland’s Facebook.

As Holland left Pittston City Hall, she allegedly spotted Bellanco walking past, the complaint says.

Police stopped Ballanco and asked him where he was coming from to which he replied his house.

Police allege in the complaint Bellanco resides nowhere near city hall, which is about 100 yards from Holland’s residence.

Court records indicate Bellanco in April 2014 obtained a PFA against Holland, alleging she choked him as he escorted her from his residence during a domestic dispute. The PFA against Holland expired in April 2015.

Bellanco was arraigned by District Judge Paul Roberts in Kingston and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

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