Rick Allen Davis Jr. (Clearfield County Jail photo provided to WJAC-TV)

CLEARFIELD – An employee of the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale has been accused of smuggling drugs into the prison.

Rick Allen Davis Jr., 36, of Philipsburg has been charged by Trooper Frederick W. Burns of the Clearfield-based state police with two felony counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.

He’s also been charged with a felony count each of intentional possession of controlled substance and possession of controlled substance contraband/inmate, plus a misdemeanor count of use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

Davis waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. His bail is currently set at $100,000.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred the morning of March 2 at SCI Houtzdale, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge James Glass.

A prison official told state police that Davis, a corrections food service instructor, dropped off a container of contraband for an inmate in the bathroom of the officers’ dining hall.

After a pat-down search, he was allegedly found with a small bag of methamphetamine, two Suboxone strips and 10, 8X10 sheets of paper containing synthetic marijuana, also known as K2.

Davis consented for an official and SCI Houtzdale k9 members to search his vehicle. It allegedly turned up meth, synthetic marijuana and Suboxone, plus 14 international money orders in his name, totaling $4,341.

His vehicle was towed and stored at the state police impound lot. In an interview, Davis reportedly admitted that he intended to deliver synthetic marijuana and other contraband to an inmate.

CLEARFIELD – Tim Kephart, who was accused of stealing from the employees of Kephart Trucking a few years ago, was back in court Wednesday for a hearing on an appeal in his case.

Kephart, 60, formerly of Morrisdale, served time in a federal prison for his involvement in a $3.6 million check-kiting scheme against a bank in Ohio. He had been sentenced to serve 46 months in October of 2013, according to previous reports.

In 2015, he was charged in Clearfield County with stealing money from his employees’ pensions and insurance premiums beginning as early as 2011.

He pleaded guilty to 36 felony counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and 60 misdemeanor counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and was sentenced in July of 2015 by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to a total of eight to 32 years in state prison.

He was originally charged with over 600 various counts.

Kephart’s sentence was modified in January of 2016 to seven to 20 years in state prison, according to court documents.

His attorney, Craig Cooley, filed a post conviction relief act petition claiming ineffectiveness of counsel by Kephart’s original attorney, Chris Pentz.

Kephart testified during the hearing Wednesday that although Pentz filed a motion asking for more detailed information on the numerous counts, Kephart did not see any of this information prior to him signing a plea agreement in June of 2015.

Cooley had Kephart go through a detailed list of insurance payments from employees that were submitted to the insurance company.

This information indicated that 18 of the counts of failure to make required disposition of funds that were rated as first-degree misdemeanors should actually have been third-degree misdemeanors because of the amount of money involved.

Kephart said they did not have the information from the insurance company until after he signed the plea agreement.

He also stated that after they received more information in July of 2015, he told Pentz that there were individuals on the list that weren’t even covered by the company plan.

He reviewed information during the hearing showing that the insurance premiums for the company were paid in full through June of 2013.

When Cooley asked if Kephart would have pleaded guilty to these counts if he had this information in June of 2015, he said he would not have done that. He also claimed he was told it was not possible for him to withdraw his plea.

Kephart was taken to a federal prison in August of 2015, and he said it was difficult for him to communicate with Pentz because he was in separate housing and could not make phone calls.

After a motion for reconsideration of sentence was granted in the case, Kephart told Pentz he wanted to be in court for the resentencing hearing and Pentz was supposed to arrange for him to participate by video conferencing equipment. But this did not happen.

Kephart testified that in late January of 2016, he received correspondence from Pentz with the information on the result of the resentencing hearing and stating that there was nothing more he could do for Kephart.

In his cross-examination, First Assistant District Attorney Ryan Dobo asked Kephart if Pentz had discussed the consequences if he took the case to trial and he agreed Pentz had discussed this and the possible penalty.

Dobo asked if he was charged with many more counts than was on the plea, and Kephart said yes.

When asked if he felt comfortable entering the plea on the record in June of 2015, Kephart said yes, and admitted he did not have a problem with Pentz’s representation at that time.

Ammerman gave the defense 75 days to provide briefs on these issues and the commonwealth 45 days after that to provide a response.

You can read about the original sentencing and restitution hearing here.

CLEARFIELD – A former Houtzdale man has been charged in connection with a crystal methamphetamine and cocaine pipeline from Akron, Ohio to Clearfield County.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the “complete shutdown” of this drug pipeline and the subsequent criminal charges during a press conference Jan. 8.

These charges included a felony count each of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and conspiracy against 31-year-old Kenneth R. Quade.

The estimated street value of all the crystal meth, cocaine and other drugs distributed by this operation is $1.5 million, Shapiro said in January, adding it included 10,000 grams of crystal meth, which is equal to 50 to 100 doses being used every week.

Between early 2017 and July of 2018, co-defendant Sondra L. McQuillen, 53, of Houtzdale and Donald Mullens regularly transported larger quantities of various drugs for distribution in this area from Akron, Ohio, according to court documents in this case.

However, after Mullens’ drug overdose death on May 22, 2018, she allegedly continued the quick trips to Ohio to operate this drug pipeline.

McQuillen was arrested last September, along with co-defendants, Jason L. and Joyce L. Merritts, who were selling the drugs from their Clearfield residence while there were children present.

On Sept. 7, an arrest warrant was served on McQuillen at her Houtzdale residence.

OAG agents were let inside by Quade, who was identified as a customer of McQuillen; he was also staying there with her. He allegedly possessed approximately one eight-ball of meth, a smoking pipe, a digital scale and several razor blades.

McQuillen reportedly admitted to agents that they would find more meth inside her residence. Agents subsequently obtained a search warrant, and when it was executed, it allegedly yielded 12 ounces of meth, a quantity of marijuana, a notebook detailing previous drug transactions and over $500 in cash.

Quade reportedly admitted to selling meth on two occasions and that his source was McQuillen. He also admitted to traveling to Ohio with McQuillen and others on two occasions to get additional supplies of the drug from her source.

Quade waived his right to a preliminary hearing during centralized court Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail. His bail is currently set at $50,000.

State police at Clearfield

• State police received a report about a burglary that occurred March 3-4 in the area of the Krebs Highway and Reds Lane in Boggs Township. During the incident, someone allegedly cut a lock to the victim’s shed and a chain to another shed. The victim told state police that so far as she could tell, only an electric chainsaw was stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 814-857-3800.

Clearfield Borough

• Police received a report about an incident of trespassing on Elk Avenue. According to police, someone heard another person inside an adjacent building. However, there wasn’t anyone located inside.
• Police responded to a noise complaint along East Eighth Street. Upon arrival on-scene, police advised the resident of the complaint and to keep the noise down.
• Police were requested to check the welfare of a male and female on Park Avenue. Police made contact with them and found they were OK.
• Police are investigating an alleged incident of trespassing that occurred at a business along East Market Street.

Lawrence Township

• Police received a report about discovered contraband Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail. According to police, corrections officers found multiple bags of suspected methamphetamine and a bag of pills on a 31-year-old Clearfield man during an inmate in-take search. The actor had allegedly concealed the contraband in his underwear, which COs discovered and turned over to police. Charges are currently pending at this time.

DuBois City

• On Tuesday police assisted with gaining entry to a building, where there was a patient having a medical emergency. Once inside, police cleared the scene.
• Police responded to a reported custody dispute Tuesday in the 400 block of South Avenue. According to police, a woman’s granddaughter was “out of control” and smashing items in the residence because she wanted to go with her mother. Officers have responded to similar incidents here, the report stated, and the child remained with her grandmother, as that had been deemed by the court. Police were able to clear the scene without further incident.
• On Tuesday police saw a juvenile walking around on Parkway Drive. According to police, they were then flagged down by a male witness in the DuBois Middle School lot because he’d noticed the same female walking around about one-and-a-half hours earlier. When contact was made, the female told officers that her after-school practice had been cancelled and she was waiting for a parent to pick her up. Because of the extreme cold, police gave the female a ride home, then made contact with her parents. She was advised that in the future, she should remain at the school and call her parents from a safe location.

Police Chief Doug Clark (Provided photo)

CLEARFIELD – Lawrence Township Police Chief Douglas Clark issued the following statement to the press Tuesday.

“As the chief of the Lawrence Township Police Department, I want to take a moment to reassure all citizens that we are continuing to battle this opioid and methamphetamine poison that has plagued our community. We will continue to track these subjects down, arrest them and bring them to justice.

“With that being said, intelligence is a valuable tool in identifying those involved in this criminal act. My personal department e-mail address is dclark@lawrencepa.gov.

“If any citizen has any information, [which] they feel would be valuable to this cause or any other crime, please feel free to e-mail me directly. Should you wish not to be re-contacted, simply advise so in your e-mail.

“To all those that are in the practice of possessing, transporting and selling illegal drugs, let me make myself perfectly clear: We, as a law enforcement community, will hunt you down, arrest you and bring you to justice.”

CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County Domestic Relations periodically reports the names of people who are wanted on a bench warrant for owing back child support and/or court costs.

The following names are published in an effort to assist in the apprehension of people who owe past-due support payments. This list will continue to be published on a regular basis on GANT.

Anyone who may have information concerning any of the people listed is asked to call Clearfield County Domestic Relations at 814-765-5339, Extension 344. All calls will remain anonymous.

Editor’s Note: GANT has teamed up with local law enforcement agencies throughout Clearfield County to develop a listing of persons for whom there are arrest warrants. Anyone with information about wanted persons is asked to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. GANT will update its warrant page monthly based upon information provided by the participating law enforcement agencies.

State police at Clearfield

• State police received a report about an incident of harassment that occurred Tuesday at the Philipsburg-Osceola Middle School. During the incident, two students allegedly engaged in a physical altercation, resulting in minor injury. Both were charged with summary offenses for the incident.

Lawrence Township

• Police received a report about contraband Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail. During the incident, a 21-year-old Morrisdale man was allegedly found with a small amount of marijuana inside his sock. Charges are currently pending at this time.
• Police received a report about a retail theft Monday at the Hyde Uni-Mart. Surveillance video allegedly showed a female concealing numerous items in her purse and leaving the store without paying for them. Police say the manager was able to identify the female, and charges will be filed against her.

CLEARFIELD – A State College woman has been accused of driving under the influence of a controlled substance with her child in her vehicle.

Dawn N. Irey, 27, has been charged by Lawrence Township police with misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of children, DUI/controlled substance, marijuana/small amount personal use and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, plus one summary.

These charges stem from an incident that occurred at 4:34 a.m. Thursday at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Clearfield, according to a police report issued by the department.

Police say Irey called for help because someone had threatened to blow up her car with her inside. Upon arrival on-scene, officers found Irey was with her young child.

The investigation revealed that Irey was allegedly highly under the influence of a controlled substance(s), which caused her to begin hallucinating.  When she was taken into custody, police say she was in possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia.

According to police, Irey’s child was released to a family member.  Irey was housed in county jail after a blood test because she’d driven her vehicle to the scene.

Irey is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 10:15 a.m. March 13 during centralized court.

Clearfield County Jail photo courtesy of WJAC-TV

DUBOIS – A DuBois man accused of breaking into the Lakeview Lodge and assaulting a man waived his right to a preliminary hearing Friday during centralized court.

Ritchie Aaron Taylor, 45, was charged with felony burglary, aggravated assault and criminal trespass; misdemeanor terroristic threats, two counts of simple assault, strangulation, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and summary counts of harassment, criminal trespass and public drunkenness by Sandy Township police after an incident Feb. 27 at the Lakeview Lodge.

He is incarcerated in the county jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, when police arrived, they saw Taylor, who was covered in blood. At taser point, they asked him to put his hands in the air. He would not obey their commands and instead took a fighting stance.

When officers tried to take him into custody, he reportedly yelled and fought with them and refused to give up his hands that were near his bulging pockets. Once he was placed on the ground, he struggled and kicked at the officers.

One of the officers then deployed a taser on Taylor. They were then able to get his hands secured in handcuffs behind his back.

As they attempted to sit him up to pat him down for weapons, he then allegedly kicked one of the officers in the right leg.

When he was patted down, two bottles of beer were removed from his pants. Officers said they thought Taylor appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance due to his irrational behavior.

Taylor was transferred to Penn Highlands DuBois for a medical evaluation.

After speaking to witnesses, police determined that Taylor entered through the main front entrance during non-business hours and went to the bar/restaurant downstairs. The lights were off and there was no one in the area to indicate the business was open.

Taylor entered the bar area where he allegedly consumed one or more alcoholic beverages. He then became irate and smashed over a dozen bottles of liquid onto the floor and knocked the cash register off the counter top, destroying the bar area.

After that, he reportedly placed several beer bottles in his pants and coat pockets. He next went back to the kitchen area where the staff was cleaning and preparing food for later in the evening.

He proceeded into the main kitchen prep area undetected by staff and encountered a man who was cleaning the deep fryers.

Taylor, who was standing on the opposite end of the counter, reportedly threw a bottle of beer, striking the victim in the right side of the head. It then landed in the deep fryer.

Taylor proceeded to threaten and attack the man and they fought for several minutes, police said.

During the assault, Taylor punched him in the nose multiple times, the victim told police.

According to a witness, at one point, Taylor pulled the victim’s shirt over his head and was attempting to strangle him with his hands.

A woman tried to help the victim by releasing Taylor’s grip around his neck, but was unable to overpower him. She then ran into the back room and called 911.

The struggle continued for several minutes until the officers arrived on the scene and took Taylor into custody, according to the complaint.

State police at Clearfield

• State police received a report about a camp burglary that occurred between Feb. 16 and Friday on Turkey Road in Cooper Township. During the incident, someone allegedly stole three, small propane tanks from the camp. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 814-857-3800.
• State police received a report about a Protection from Abuse order violation Saturday on Miller Road Extension in Gulich Township. Charges have been filed concerning this incident.

Clearfield Borough

• Police received a noise complaint that occurred on East Eighth Street.
• Police received a report about a minor motor vehicle crash at the intersection of West Front and Bridge streets.  When the drivers began to exchange information, police say it was discovered that the driver – who was at fault – didn’t have insurance for their vehicle.
• Police received a report about a disorderly, intoxicated male at a local establishment.  Upon arrival on-scene, he was found yelling outside.  He was subsequently arrested for public drunkenness.
• Police responded to a reported alarm at a local business. However, it was found to have been set off accidently.
• Police received a report about an intoxicated male who was causing problems and refusing to leave a local establishment. Police approached the male and removed him from the premises; he was subsequently arrested for his conduct.
• Police located a disabled motorist along Bigler Avenue. Officers found a male to have warrants for his arrest through the Lawrence Township police
• Police received a report about someone allegedly breaking into vehicles on West Fifth Avenue.

Lawrence Township

• Police reported on a drug-related DUI that occurred Friday at the Hyde Uni-Mart parking lot. According to police, a 24-year-old Clearfield woman was passed out inside a running vehicle. When contact was made with her, she was allegedly found to be under the influence of a controlled substance. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for a blood test; the investigation is pending at this time.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of harassment that occurred Friday on Industrial Park Road. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
• Police reported on a drug violation that occurred Sunday on Graham Street near Uni-Mart. When contact was made with a 42-year-old Wallaceton woman, police allegedly found a glass pipe and a small amount of marijuana in her vehicle. Charges have been filed against her for this incident.
• Police reported on an incident of DUI that occurred Saturday on the Clearfield-Curwensville Highway. During a traffic stop, a 30-year-old Clearfield man was allegedly found to have an open container of alcohol in his vehicle and to have been drinking. Police administered field sobriety tests and observed signs of impairment; the man was subsequently taken to the hospital for a blood test. Police later released him to a sober person with charges currently pending.
• Police received a report about an overdose Friday on Baneyville Road. According to police, a male had ingested LSD and experienced a negative reaction. He was taken to the hospital and the investigation is ongoing at this time.

DuBois City

• On March 6, police responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Beaver Drive and Division Street.  According to police, a female driver was traveling east and came to a stop before turning left onto Division Street. A male driver turned right onto Beaver Drive at the same time, crossing the center lane and striking the female’s vehicle. His vehicle reportedly caused damage to the female’s vehicle, plus a stop sign and guardrail. The drivers exchanged insurance information and police cited the male for the crash.
• Police were requested to assist Domestic Relations personnel with a warrant service March 6 on Grant Street. According to police, a strong odor of marijuana was detected at the residence, and a male subject showed DRO personnel where it was being grown inside. Police subsequently arrived on-scene and seized all the plants; the investigation is currently pending at this time.
• Police responded to a report of a deer-versus-vehicle crash March 6 at the intersection of Beaver Drive and Jeffers Street. Upon arrival, it was found the driver’s pick-up truck was damaged from the impact but still able to be driven from the scene. An officer was able to get the deer off the roadway and take it into the woods.
• Police responded to a reported two-vehicle crash Friday on Beaver Drive near the intersection with Shaffer Road. According to police, a driver pulled out of a lot, and their vehicle was struck by an oncoming vehicle. No injuries were reported and both vehicles were towed from the scene.
• Police received a report Friday about the alleged theft of items from a garage in the 300 block of South State Street.
• Police received a report about a domestic dispute Friday between a male and his son in the 500 block of South Main Street. Police say the boy left for a short time but did return. No charges will be filed at this time.
• Police received a report about a burglary Friday in the 400 block of Hubert Street. During the incident, someone allegedly stole various items, including firearms, from a residence.
• On Saturday police were advised of a deer-versus-vehicle crash in the 500 block of Maple Avenue. No injuries were reported, and the vehicle was driven from the scene. Police say the deer was deceased and would be removed by a Pennsylvania Game Commission contractor within 48 hours.
• Police received a report about an alleged scam Saturday. According to police, a woman was contacted by phone by someone claiming to be with S&T Bank’s fraud department. She was asked to provide her pin, so that the caller could handle fraudulent charges that were to be on her account. She refused and then called the bank, which confirmed it was a scam.
• Police received a report about a hit-and-run crash Saturday. According to police, witnesses saw a blue-colored van with a PA Wildlife plate strike a stop sign at the intersection of First Street and West DuBois Avenue. It then left the scene and was also leaking fuel. Police were able to follow the fuel trail to a residence, and the driver will face charges. The DuBois Fire Department assisted with the fuel spill.
• On Sunday police received a report about an alarm at a McCracken Run Road business. Upon arrival, police found an open door and following a check, everything was found to be in order. A keyholder responded to the scene to secure the door.
• Police are investigating the death of a 45-year-old man that occurred in the 400 block of Pifer Street. There aren’t any suspicious circumstances, police say.
• On Sunday police received a report about a woman who was ill and sitting outside Sheetz on North Brady Street. Upon arrival, police learned she was homeless and appeared to be ill and cold; she was subsequently taken to the hospital by ambulance.

DUBOIS –A DuBois man found passed out in his vehicle in the middle of a road is facing drug charges.

According to police, William Francis Runyon, 28, was found in a vehicle in the middle of the roadway of Whitford Avenue near South Brady Street in DuBois on March 4.

A later search of his vehicle reportedly uncovered 11 bags of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and clonazepam pills.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Runyon was reportedly leaning to the right side over the center console in the vehicle, which was still running.

A DuBois City officer had to knock twice on the window to get him to move. He then appeared confused, disoriented and was mumbling. Runyon reached around the vehicle trying to locate the window switch for several minutes before he rolled down the window.

He was reportedly incoherent and unable to answer simple questions. He was mumbling and reaching around the vehicle and into his pockets several times, even though he was instructed to keep his hands out of his pockets.

As he continued to search around the vehicle, the officer asked him what he was doing and he replied that he was looking for his cell phone.

He arched his back and leaned into the rear seat area to move a gray backpack cinch sack into the back seat. As he did so, the officer saw he had a folding knife clipped into his rear waistband and a cell phone sitting on the seat under him.

After the officer told him he was sitting on his phone, Runyon retrieved it and held it, pressing the screen several times. He then held it to his head as if he was calling someone, but the officer could see the welcome screen was displayed on the phone. Runyon claimed he was calling his mother.

By this point, he appeared more alert, but he was speaking very slowly, and took several minutes to respond to questions, police said.

The vehicle was still in drive, so the officer told him to shut the engine off. He complied and took the key from the ignition.

Because he appeared to be under the influence, Runyon was asked to perform a few simple tests including reciting the alphabet, which he could not finish. He allegedly admitted to the officer that he had consumed marijuana.

Runyon was asked to step outside the vehicle, but he still kept reaching in his pockets. The officer told him to place his belongings inside the vehicle while he performed field sobriety tests.

Runyon removed a capped tube from his front pants pocket, which appeared to be filled with marijuana. He was then taken into custody.

A search of his person uncovered a baggie containing a substance of suspected methamphetamine. He also appeared to have a large amount of cash in his wallet that he claimed was his pay for doing construction work.

He would not consent to a search of the vehicle because he said it did not belong to him. Runyon then explained he had purchased the vehicle but had not finished paying the owner for it.

After Runyon was cleared by emergency medical personnel, he was transported to Penn Highlands DuBois for a blood test, which he refused. Runyon was then taken to his mother’s home.

The vehicle was impounded and taken to the police station.

While taking an impound inventory of the car, an officer found a glass pipe with marijuana residue in it. He then applied for a search warrant.

In the vehicle, police found in the gray cinch backpack, drug paraphernalia, scales, 12 white pills, a metal bottle shaped container, which held 11 baggies of suspected methamphetamine and a plastic jar with a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. A silver box had clonazepam pills and a dollar bill with a brown/white powdery substance, according to the affidavit.

Runyon’s wallet reportedly had $670 in cash.

Runyon is charged with felony manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and misdemeanor counts of possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving under the influence. He is incarcerated in the county jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

In a second case, he is charged with misdemeanor retail theft for allegedly stealing clothing from the Goodwill store in DuBois on Feb. 16.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Friday for both cases.

Clearfield Borough

• Police received a report about items allegedly being removed from a motorcycle along East Eighth Street.
• Police received a report about harassment that stemmed from a road rage incident. Police were able to speak to those involved and resolve the situation.
• Police handled a parking complaint along East Eighth Street.
• Police located a tractor-trailer along the 600 block of Nichols Street. Police learned that its driver was lost and were able to direct him to U.S. Route 322.

Lawrence Township

• Police received a report about an incident of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct Monday on 21^st During the incident, a known male allegedly made threats to physically harm someone and also to burn down their home. Police put the male actor in county jail on a 48-hour detainer for being under the influence of a “foreign substance.”

Sandy Township

• On March 6, police responded to a reported two-vehicle crash. According to police, a vehicle driven by a 32-year-old Reynoldsville woman pulled out from Burger King and into the path of a vehicle driven by a 74-year-old Reynoldsville man who was traveling on Shaffer Road. No injuries and moderate damage were reported as a result.
• On March 6, police received a report about a motor vehicle crash. According to police, a 70-year-old tractor-trailer driver hit a parked vehicle while he was traveling through the Snappy’s Convenience Store parking lot. There was moderate damage to the sedan that was driven by a 49-year-old DuBois woman.
• Police reported a false alarm Thursday at the Aldi’s store.
• Police responded to a reported motor vehicle crash on Thursday. According to police, an 18-year-old Treasure Lake man lost control of his vehicle while driving on Miramar Road. This caused it to slide sideways around a bend and then side-swipe a vehicle driven by a 47-year-old Treasure Lake man who was traveling in the opposite lane. No injuries and moderate damage were reported as a result.
• On Thursday police were contacted by a 26-year-old DuBois man who reported that someone hit and damaged his vehicle while it was parked on Wasson Avenue.

FALLS CREEK BOROUGH (EYT) – A local man who allegedly choked and struck a woman until she blacked out waived his preliminary hearing in court this week.

Court documents indicate the following charges against 38-year-old Nicholas Antonio Bibbs of Falls Creek were waived for court on Tuesday, March 12:

• Strangulation – Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck, Felony 2
• Terroristic Threats W/ Int To Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
• Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
• Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary

The charges have been transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas. Bibbs is currently free on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, around 2:50 p.m. Feb. 17, a trooper with the DuBois-based state police interviewed a known female victim in the emergency room of UPMC Altoona.

The victim, who shares a residence with Nicholas Bibbs, reported that she awoke with Bibbs on top of her, with both of his knees on her stomach, as he was choking her.

The victim stated that she attempted to escape by scratching Bibbs, but he continued to choke her. The victim said Bibbs continued to choke her until she “blacked out” and when she awoke, he punched her in the head repeatedly and said he was going to kill her.

She then blacked out again before waking up, shaking and throwing up blood. The woman said she believes she was having a seizure.

The victim also related that the assault was witnessed by her 11-year-old son.

According to the complaint, the assault stopped when the victim was able to find a phone and call 9-1-1. The victim reported that when the ambulance arrived, she told them she fell down the stairs because Bibbs was there and she was afraid to say what really happened with him there.

The complaint notes that a trooper observed dried blood in the victim’s nose and scratches on her neck. The victim also complained of pain in her head, face and stomach.

The trooper then interviewed Bibbs around 6:20 p.m. Feb. 17. According to the complaint, Bibbs admitted to striking the victim repeatedly in the area of the face and also to putting his hands around the victim’s neck.

Bibbs was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak at 9:04 p.m. Feb. 17.

Read more: http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/.

Alen Erskine (Provided photo)

CLEARFIELD – A local couple has been accused of having their one-year-child within reach of various drugs, needles, a firearm and other dangerous items.

Alen Edward Erskine, 37, of Clearfield and Amber Rose Johnston, 33, of Curwensville have been charged by Officer Craig A. Kanour of the Lawrence Township police with felony endangering the welfare of children.

Erskine and Johnston have also been charged with one misdemeanor count each of recklessly endangering another person, intentional possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

Erskine waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. His bail is currently set at $25,000 monetary.

Johnston’s case is listed as inactive and there’s a magisterial bench warrant against her, a court employee told GANT News.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Jan. 14, officers were requested to assist state parole agents with locating John L. Irwin, 35, who was wanted by state parole. Officers learned Irwin was possibly at Erskine’s residence at 128 Hill St., Clearfield.

Upon arrival on-scene, Agent Keith Summerson asked two individuals if Irwin was there. Both said yes and that officers could come inside. Upstairs, he saw Irwin sitting on a cooler; Erskine and Johnston were on a bed with their one-year-old child.

When Irwin was taken into custody, agents saw multiple items of drugs and paraphernalia “within an arm’s reach of him.”  This prompted Kanour to request to enter the bedroom with Summerson.

In plain view on a work bench, Kanour allegedly saw multiple capped hypodermic needles, a glass pipe with a burnt residue, a glass jar with a bag of a small amount of marijuana, a bag of methamphetamine and multiple burnt spoons with a white powdery substance.

Inside a black box, Summerson discovered a Raven Arms .25-caliber pistol, which allegedly had its serial number scratched off, with a loaded magazine with approximately six bullets.  He also saw two tablets with drug-related information and two cell phones.

Underneath the work bench, officers discovered a black lock box that was bolted to the floor. Johnston stated she had purchased the safe and it belonged to her. She willingly opened the safe with a key and it allegedly contained approximately $2,300.

Inside the safe was a can of corn beef hash that had a “false bottom,” which police said is commonly used to store controlled substances. In the can were approximately 28 small bags, which were marked “Undertaker” and “Cobra,” of suspected heroin.

There were nine more bags of suspected heroin inside a black zipper pouch. Also, inside the safe, there was a glass jar with two bags of suspected mushrooms; there were approximately nine unknown, orange pills and two-and-a-half unknown, white pills.

Johnston told officers that everything inside the safe belonged to Irwin, except for some loose cash. She also said that the firearm, which authorities had located in the room, belonged to Irwin.

While Irwin was in the custody of a second parole agent downstairs, he reportedly admitted that anything found in the bedroom belonged to him.

Irwin has been charged with a felony count each of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and possession of firearm with manufacturer number altered, plus a misdemeanor count each of intentional possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

Irwin is scheduled to appear for his preliminary hearing at 10:30 a.m. March 27 during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail.

CLEARFIELD – A State College woman has been accused of driving under the influence of a controlled substance with her child in her vehicle.

Dawn N. Irey, 27, has been charged by Officer Devin Gill of the Lawrence Township police with misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of children, DUI/controlled substance, marijuana/small amount personal use and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, plus one summary.

Irey waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. Her bail is currently set at $10,000 monetary.

These charges stem from an incident that occurred at 4:38 a.m. March 7 at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Clearfield, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Mike Morris.

Irey called Clearfield County 911 for help because someone had threatened to blow up her car. On-scene, Irey was found with her one-year-old child; she spoke fast, was nervous and jittery and couldn’t focus, police said.

She told officers she “heard voices” telling her that they were going to “blow that [expletive] up and her car.” She said she heard them inside her car, so she exited, entered the store and called police for help.

Officers found Irey’s story didn’t make any sense and began to think she was hallucinating. During the encounter, Irey said she heard voices and was told by police there wasn’t anyone talking to her.

Irey was asked how she got to Wal-Mart and said she drove there. She was asked if she was on any medications to which she indicated she’d recently discontinued using Zoloft for anxiety.

When asked about controlled substances, she allegedly admitted to having used marijuana earlier that day. Due to her demeanor and symptoms, police asked about methamphetamine use and she said she’d never used it.

Officer Zachary Cowan asked Irey to tilt her head back, so that he could check her nasal passage. He reportedly observed intact crystals in her left nostril and a deep red color; Irey then told officers she’d use meth the day before.

A search of Irey’s purse turned up a marijuana grinder containing a small amount of marijuana and one small package of screens, which are commonly used for consumption of the drug, according to the affidavit.

Officers opted not to have Irey perform field sobriety tests due to her “hallucinations, actions and for safety reasons,” noting “it was apparent she was highly under the influence.”

Cowan contacted the county’s Children & Youth Services Department, which requested a relative be contacted to take custody of Irey’s child. The relative also took Irey’s vehicle.

Irey was subsequently transported to the Penn Highlands Clearfield Hospital for a legal blood draw, then to county jail due to being under the influence.

State police at Punxsutawney

• State police investigated a fire that occurred at 7 a.m. Wednesday at 16 Wrights Ln., in Burnside Township. Upon investigation, the fire was determined to be electrical and accidental in nature; it resulted from an overloaded circuit. Damage is estimated at $50,000 and the homeowners didn’t have insurance. No injuries were reported, but one dog died in the fire.

Lawrence Township

• Police received a report about a retail theft that occurred Tuesday at Family Dollar. On-scene officers made contact with a 35-year-old male suspect and found he’d allegedly removed merchandise, then left the store. He was arrested for summary retail theft for the incident.
• Police received a report Wednesday about a suspicious male at the Mountain Laurel Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. According to police, it was learned the male had picked up his wife earlier in the day after her discharge. At the time of the call, he was outside with luggage and banging on windows. He was last seen at the intersection of Leonard and Daisy streets, and officers made contact with him at Golden Rod Storage. Police subsequently identified him as 45-year-old Robert Slayer and discovered he was wanted out of North Carolina for a parole violation. He was subsequently taken into custody and to county jail to await extradition.
• Police received a report about a possible break-in Thursday on Woodland Road. According to police, two residents had returned home and discovered both front and back doors were open. The interior lights were turned on, the exterior lights were turned off and an item from inside had been put outside. Police say there wasn’t anything taken or damaged. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
• Police received a report about a disturbance Wednesday at the Edgewood Apartments. According to police, a couple engaged in a verbal argument outside, during which they were screaming and yelling. A male, identified as Justin Grassmyer, 22, of Clearfield was taken into custody on a sheriff’s warrant; he was put in county jail. Grassmyer and the female were both cited for disorderly conduct.

Pictured are Terry J. Wallace, 41, Matthew J. Brubaker, 32, and Marc T. Measnikoff, 34, all of Munson.

*This news article contains graphic details and may be upsetting to some GANT News readers.

MUNSON – The three Munson men accused of having sexual intercourse with farm animals have agreed to plead guilty.

Terry J. Wallace, 41, Matthew J. Brubaker, 33, and Marc T. Measnikoff, 35, were arrested by Clearfield-based state police back on Aug. 18, 2018.

Wallace, Brubaker and Measnikoff were charged with one felony count each of endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors.

The men were also charged with 1,460 misdemeanor counts of sexual intercourse with an animal and 1,460 summary counts of cruelty to animals.

Online court documents indicate all three men have negotiated plea agreements. Wallace, Brubaker and Measnikoff will appear for sentencing April 23 before Judge Paul Cherry.

Their arrests stemmed from an ongoing investigation into reports of abuse and the execution of a search warrant, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The search warrant was for the seizure of electronic devices that were used to photograph, film and store evidence of the sexual abuse of the animals at a “makeshift farm” in Munson.

During a Child Advocate interview, a minor related to authorities that he’d been living at the farm property for the last four or five years.

He said he was regularly exposed to Wallace, Brubaker and Measnikoff, who were having sexual intercourse with horses, dogs, a cow and a goat on a daily basis.

According to the minor, living conditions were “deplorable.” He had to collect rain water to shower, there was a very limited food supply and there was neither electricity nor bathrooms.

On Aug. 18, state police executed a search warrant, at which time Wallace, Brubaker and Measnikoff were taken into custody.

In interviews with state police, both Brubaker and Measnikoff allegedly admitted to committing the crimes over the past several years.

Brubaker also incriminated the other two men. Measnikoff, however, declined to respond to questions regarding Brubaker and Wallace.

Editor’s Note: This news article contains graphic details and may be upsetting to some GANT News readers.

HOUTZDALE – A Houtzdale couple accused of physically and emotionally torturing their six adopted children has agreed to plead guilty.

In May of 2018, Timothy D. Krause, 52, and Barbara J. Krause, 51, were charged by the Clearfield-based state police with six felony counts each of aggravated assault, conspiracy/aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and conspiracy/endangering the welfare of children.

The Krause’s were also charged with six misdemeanor counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person; two misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats; and six summaries.

Online court documents indicate both have negotiated plea agreements. Barbara and Timothy Krause will appear for sentencing in Clearfield County Court on April 22 and April 23, respectively before Judge Paul E. Cherry.

The couple’s children reported being abused between 2011 and 2018 at their home. They were beaten with paddles, a walking stick, a board and back scratchers, according to the affidavits of probable cause.

Beatings with the paddle were allegedly so severe that the children’s buttocks would bleed, and it could be seen through their underwear.

Beatings with the walking stick would cause knots or lumps to form on their heads. The children’s hands were also beaten with a board until their knuckles would bleed, state police said.

As forms of punishment, the Krause’s allegedly deprived their children of multiple meals for not doing their chores or misbehaving and forced them to do “halfways” (or sitting against the wall with their knees bent) and “up-downs” for extended periods.

The family’s dogs were allowed to bite the children for which they were never treated and have scars from. The six siblings were also forced to share the same bedroom in a three-bedroom home; two slept on the floor on very thin mats, state police said.

According to the affidavit, Barbara Krause shoved her children’s heads into the wall. One child was beaten by Timothy Krause with a back scratcher to the extent his injuries had to be treated with lotion for weeks.

The Krause’s home-schooled their children for a few years. In a report, a Geisinger Medical Center doctor wrote that the children were “lacking in academics and are one to two years behind.”

The 15-year-old has multiple scars on his chest, abdomen, legs and arms. He said one scar on his chest was from a dog bite, and it wasn’t unusual to be “paddled” 30-40 times on one occurrence. He said his mother also threatened to “slit his throat” with an axe while he was sleeping.

The 14-year-old said anytime his parents would get the stick out, the dogs were trained to “attack” whoever was nearby. He had multiple bite marks and scars on his legs and arms.

He said he was paddled on his right buttocks until an abscess formed, which he had to lance himself. His medical records noted multiple scars on his right buttocks, as well.

The other 14-year-old reported being beaten with a paddle 58 times on one occurrence. He said he was beaten multiple other times and threatened to have his throat slit at night.

He said his parents hit him on his face and nose area, which caused bleeding, and he had a scar on his back from being beaten with a stick.

The 13-year-old said her parents threatened her with a gun and axe, and she was paddled on her bare buttocks until it was black and blue. She also had multiple scars on her arms and legs from dog bites.

The 16-year-old said he was threatened by his mother with the edge of an axe placed on his neck. He said he was also threatened to be shot; on one occurrence, he was paddled 30 times and to the point his buttocks was black and blue and he couldn’t sit down.

The 12-year-old said that his mother threatened to shoot him if he touched the phone after he called police to report abuse.

He said he was once paddled on the buttocks 49 times, and had bleeding from the punishment. He now has numerous scars on his arms, legs and other areas from dog bites.

In his opinion following an assessment of the children, Dr. Pat J. Bruno, M.D., Geisinger Medical Center, wrote: “With a reasonable degree of medical certainty, the children were physically abused and tortured by their parents.”

Editor’s Note: GANT has teamed up with local law enforcement agencies throughout Clearfield County to develop a listing of persons for whom there are arrest warrants. Anyone with information about wanted persons is asked to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. GANT will update its warrant page monthly based upon information provided by the participating law enforcement agencies.