Amish Mafia is currently on episode three in which time we’ve learned the real names and real criminal histories of the cast. None of which correlates to what has been shown onscreen. For example, in episode one “Lebanon Levi” 33-year-old Levi King Stoltzfus is portrayed as being a felon with a storied history of violent crime. He is a felon. However, his real rap sheet reveals mostly vehicular and alcohol-related convictions starting when he was in his early 20s and there’s no mention in the Lancaster records of these supposed violent crimes (that’s only for Lancaster, there’s no accounting yet for his crimes in Shelby, Ohio).
In episode one, in addition to the disclaimer revealing that there is no Amish Mafia, Discovery reveals Stoltzfus’ real full name in poorly-redacted records (and poorly-bleeped audio) pertaining to a “Lancaster County Police Department.” Another disclaimer at the introduction of each new “Mafia” member says ”The Lancaster County Police have refused to comment on Lebanon Levi,” or whomever, as a lawyer narrates and stands outside Lancaster Bureau of Police. Probably because the “Lancaster County Police Department” doesn’t appear to exist and “Lebanon Levi” is really named Levi King Stoltzfus.
Thanks to a helpful reader, Jarred, for providing the following information: “The initial arrest record and subsequent arrest abstract recently posted are not real. There is no law enforcement agency named Lancaster County Police Department. There is the Lancaster City Police, and Lancaster County Sheriffs office, but neither would have arrest abstracts that show arrest details and a photograph that is represented above. Also the photograph is not representative of a booking photo as it does not have the prescribed agency booking plate that would show the individuals name, date of birth, arrest date, and inmate number/case number. Also, the show depicts illegal activity that would attract the attention of the FBI Violent Criminal Organization Unit and the Department of Justices unit that pursues RICO charges against criminal franchises. These units would be able to gather enough evidence and probably cause to seek arrest warrants for the individuals on the show.” And providing a “list of all of the Law Enforcement Agencies in Lancaster County, PA with their addresses and radio channels… None [of which] uses the name: “Lancaster County Police Department” as depicted on the arrest record.”
Indeed, after checking the list, it appears there is no “Lancaster County Police Department.”
Here’s the thing, the records shown in episode one use Stoltzfus’ real name and mention the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania where he does have a real and verifiable arrest record. However, as suspected earlier and confirmed above, it would appear the onscreen criminal records and booking photos are fake; a fabrication used only for production purposes (same for the rest of the cast’s records).
Stoltzfus is clearly not committing crimes on-camera. He is a fire fighter who helped Discovery stage scenes by taking out insurance, warning people first, and setting fire to property then extinguishing it himself; all for the cameras, and done safely. He has a MySpace page. And he owns his own construction business, and you can learn about why he started his own business in an earlier post too.
UPDATE 01/02/13: Since it’s caused some consternation in the comments, here’s further verification that the police department does not exist as described by Discovery. According to PennLive.com and The Associated Press: “…there is no such thing [as the arresting agency "Lancaster County Police"]. There is a Lancaster City Bureau of Police, but no countywide force.”
UPDATE: 1/03/13: Further proof, there is no “Lancaster County Police Dept.”
In the latest episode of the Discovery Channel’s Amish Mafia, a reference was made to the Lancaster County Police. The only problem; there’s no such thing.
So the Lancaster City Police set out to set the record straight posting this on its Facebook page: “NAME CLARIFICATION: We are the Lancaster City Police Department. We have been serving Lancaster City for well over 200 years. If you are looking for the Lancaster County Police Department, as depicted on a fictional cable TV show, you may want to look elsewhere.” - via CBS21.
Coming from Lancaster County I can say I have seen these people around the area dressed as Amish prior to any Amish TV shows …. but in reality there is no Amish Mafia, Fixers yes … but not church sanctioned – Amish Keg parties, Amish pot fields, cars, computers just about anything the English do the Amish will do. I’ve even seen Amish men going into porn stores. The show does give a more realistic look into Amish life than most documentaries on the Amish have done in the past – Historical perspective likes to whitewash and water down the realities of life this is open and raw and does give you more of a realistic view of the Amish.
Lebanon Levi looks like Spanky from the little rascal, not very intimidating, you got Alvin as Porky, Esther as Darla, and the gun slinging, tattooed Jolin as Alfalfa, don’t forget Allan Bailer as Buckwheat. Jolin needs to juice up to be believable that he can kick ass. For those who were too young when the original little rascal were on Google it or you tube. Very entertaining and funny. What’s next for the discovery channel moon whining nuns and meth cooking Pope.
I knew I saw them on another show and just couldn’t think of it, thanks.
The whole part about the lancaster county police not being real is so moronic I don’t even know where to start first of all I live in lancaster pa and I can assure you there is a lancaster city police and a lancaster county police as well as city and county sheriff and second lancaster county has over 500,000 people living in it 99.99% of which are NOT AMISH there is something like 75,000 people living in lancaster city. We’re just a normal city with guns drugs and violence none of which is Amish related I have lived in Philly and would consider lancaster a mini Philly but lancaster has a much better economy.
I don’t know about the rest of the show but the episode where Jolin got a tattoo was obviously fake. In two scenes the stars on his coat of arms are black but then in the other scenes the shield is black an the stars are skin colored
As far as there not being a PD in Lancaster, Ohio? Here’s their link:
http://www.ci.lancaster.oh.us/dept/police/
What’s so hard about doing some freakin homework or
At the very least doing a search on it before writing a
whole story about it. Get your facts straight because if you
leave out something as small as this that can be checked up on
just by simply doing a search and you spread untruths and lies
then it makes me, and I’m sure others, not want to believe even
one word if your story.
I’ll never read, much less believe, anything this person writes and
I’ll think twice reading anything from the magazine or
website puts up.
Unbelievable!!! I cat believe they didn’t check on the stories
points before putting onto their site…
I’ll not be back and definitely won’t believe a thing
that’s published here…Checkinh facts is part if your jobs guys…
It makes you look like asses when caught with your pants down like this…
Incidentally, the post is about Lancaster, Penn. Not Lancaster, Oh.
Moreover, no one said there’s no PD at all. Simply there isn’t a PD named specifically “Lancaster County Police Dept.” in Penn, which is true. There are PDs of similar names, but not that exact name.
From Penn Live/ The Associated Press:
http://blog.pennlive.com/go/2012/12/amish_mafia_is_it_real_or_fake.html
Wow, he got you didn’t he?
You should read more before going off like that. Know what you’re talking about first….
I live in Lancaster County. Yes we have a Lancaster County Police Department and NO the Amish Mafia is not real. However, the Amish screw around just as much as English do. This article and the show in general are a bunch of SHIT
sammi jo there is not a lancaster county police force there is a lancaster county sherriff and lancaster city police not lancaster county
My Grandparents were Amish. My Dad left the church. The “Actors” all grew up in Amish or Mennonite homes. You can’t learn to talk,walk and have the mannerisms of the Amish.
There is no Lancaster County Police Dept. Here is a list of all depts in Lancaster county.
http://www.lcwc911.us/lcwc/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=471040
Thanks for confirming, Mike M.
CBS 21 News and a real local police dept also confirm today that “Lancaster County Police Dept” does not exist.
If anyone wants to read further proof, it’s noted here: http://hollywoodite.com/amish-mafia-fake-lancaster-police-department
thank you hollywoodite! i wish your information would reach people on a national level. i appreciate you research and bringing out the truth. does anyone happen to know the real name of the character ‘jolin’ depicted on the show? i know ive seen his face elsewhere. im hoping its not from a ‘aka’ criminal poster. thanks
Fake or not Jolin is Soooooo Freakin HOT!!!!!! I wouldn’t mind hookin up with Alvin 2:)