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DuBois Woman to Stand Trial in Child Endangerment Case

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DUBOIS – A DuBois woman will stand trial for endangering the welfare of children due to her son finding her and a man unconscious in their home.

Police say the eight-year-old came home from school on May 24 and discovered an unconscious man outside the apartment and his mother, Jessica Lynn Courson, 43, unresponsive in the bedroom.

The child ran to a neighbor’s home for help.

When police arrived, they administered three doses of Narcan to man before paramedics arrived, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Courson was found lying in her bed with a plastic straw in her hand. She was also given three doses of Narcan. Both were transported to Penn Highlands Hospital for treatment.

The neighbor gave officers additional doses of Narcan that Courson had given her in the event this happened, according to the report.

Courson waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday during centralized court, sending the case on to the court of common pleas for further disposition.

She is free on $5,000, unsecured bail.


Pittsburgh Man Charged in Treasure Lake Stabbing

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DUBOIS – A Pittsburgh man is facing charges for stabbing a man in Treasure Lake on July 1.

Bart Anton Thompson, 47, has been charged by Sandy Township police with aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police received a report that a man had been stabbed at his camp. When they arrived at the front gate of Treasure Lake, they found a vehicle intending to transport the victim to the hospital.

After seeing his injuries, they requested emergency personnel expedite their response because the victim was “bleeding profusely and losing consciousness from a severe cut to his head/neck area.”

He was transported to Penn Highlands Hospital where he had emergency surgery. Surgeons used 11 surgical staples to close a hemorrhage on the victim’s neck and he lost half a liter of blood in addition to suffering soft tissue injuries to his arms, according to the criminal complaint.

A witness told police he was at another camp when the victim’s wife drove into his driveway frantically asking for help for her husband who had a serious cut to his neck.

The victim was slumped over in the passenger seat “in an unstable condition.”

This witness and a friend got into the vehicle and drove him to the front gate where they encountered police and EMS.

He told police that the victim’s wife told him the victim was stabbed by Thompson during a physical altercation.

Later police spoke with the victim’s wife who stated she, her husband and friends, including Thompson, were hanging out that day.

While playing around throwing water at each other, Thompson grabbed a beer, which he dumped onto the victim’s head. They then started wrestling around.

She went into the camper to check on her granddaughter. When she went back outside, she saw Thompson’s wife trying to separate the two men.

As the victim stood up, he was reportedly applying pressure to his neck. He told her to get him to a hospital.

In his interview with authorities, Thompson said he and the victim were involved in a physical altercation during which the victim struck him numerous times in the face with a closed fist. He couldn’t remember why they started fighting but said it was a mutual fight.

Thompson’s right eye was swollen and later it was determined he suffered an orbital bone fracture that required surgery, according to the report.

Thompson’s wife explained she was trying to break up the fight when she was cut on her left forearm.

She gave police the shirt and shorts Thompson was wearing at the time of the fight. The shorts reportedly had dried blood on them and officers found a knife in the front left pocket that also had blood on it.

This case is not yet been scheduled for a preliminary hearing, according to online court documents.

GANT Weekend Police Blotter

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Clearfield Borough

  • Police observed a male engaged in a physical altercation with a parking meter along East Market Street.  He was reportedly found to be under the influence of alcohol.
  • Police responded to Turnpike Avenue, where a male reportedly appeared to be entering vehicles.  However, officers were unable to locate anyone.
  • Police assisted a motorist who had locked their keys inside their vehicle.
  • Police responded to East Cherry Street, where a male had crashed his bicycle.  Upon officers’ arrival on-scene, the male was reportedly found to be highly intoxicated, and to have sustained a laceration to his head. The male was subsequently transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
  • Police responded to a 911 hang-up call along Leavy Avenue.  Upon arrival, police found that the person had accidentally dialed and that no emergency existed.
  • Police located a female who had fled from the hospital while having an active mental health warrant.  The female was transported back to the hospital. 
  • Police located a female along Power Avenue who was lying next to her bicycle.  She was reportedly found to be highly intoxicated.

Lawrence Township

  • Police reported July 7 that 41-year-old Richard High of Clearfield had moved and failed to update his address as required by Megan’s Law. Charges have been filed through the district court.

Curwensville Borough

  • Police received a report about a bear at Irvin Park. The Game Commission was notified.
  • Police responded to an Ann Street residence for a female reportedly attacking other persons with a hammer. The female was taken into custody.
  • Police responded to a Bailey Road residence for a report of loud music. However, upon arrival, there wasn’t any loud music being played. After officers cleared the scene, another report was received as the caller had reportedly been threatened by their neighbor. Both individuals were advised to cease contact.
  • Police were called to Filbert Street for a male who was experiencing a medical emergency.
  • Police were dispatched to Meadow Street for the report of damage to the caller’s vehicle from a mowing crew.
  • Police were called to a Bailor Drive business for a female who was experiencing a medical emergency.
  • Police were called to assist in locating a missing endangered person. The male was located by police and taken into custody.
  • Police were dispatched to a Center Street residence, where a female was reportedly trying to harm herself. The female was subsequently transported to the hospital by EMS, and later committed on a mental health warrant.
  • Police were called to Irvin Park where several juveniles were smoking what was believed to be
    marijuana. Upon arrival, they were located and a small amount of marijuana was seized.
  • Police were dispatched to the 800-block of Greenwood Road for a report of a possible wanted male. According to police, initial contact was made on Beul Road and the male attempted to flee, leading officers on a short foot pursuit. He was taken into custody and identified as Randall Hipps, 54, of Bigler; additionally, he was allegedly found in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. Hipps was charged with resisting arrest, flight to avoid apprehension, possession of a controlled substance, use/possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.
  • Police were dispatched to a Bloomington Avenue residence, where a juvenile was experiencing a medical emergency.

Philipsburg Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine

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JOHNSTOWN – A Philipsburg man pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced Monday.

Keegan McChesney, 24, pleaded guilty to a lesser included offense at count two of the superseding indictment before Senior U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, from July of 2019 to June of 2020, McChesney conspired to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Gibson scheduled sentencing for Dec. 1, 2022. The law provides for a minimum sentence of five years in prison and maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000 or both.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of McChesney.

Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States.

OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks

Former Restaurant Owners Plead Guilty for Not Paying More Than $60K in Sales Tax

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CLEARFIELD – Two former restaurant owners pleaded guilty Monday for not paying more than $60,000 in sales tax for their Philipsburg business.

Sabrina L. Saldana, 37, of Hollidaysburg and Armando Mendoza Saldana, 49, of Patton were both originally charged with seven felony counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds by agents of the attorney general’s office in 2020.

The charges stem from their business activity from Jan. 20, 2016 to July 20, 2017 at their Mexican restaurant, Salsa’s Mexican Grill in Philipsburg.

A plea agreement in their cases in January was rejected by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman after he learned they had only paid $15,000 in restitution.

Ammerman accepted a plea for five years probation to one misdemeanor count of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds for each of them on Monday after they paid a total of $60,000.

They still owe a balance of $1,866.32. It was noted that neither of them has a prior criminal record.

Prior to sentencing, Sabrina Saldana apologized to the court.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Sabrina Saldana owned 85 percent of the business while her father was a silent partner with 15 percent ownership. She ran the business with her husband, Armando Saldana, who was listed as the co-operator.

Records reportedly indicate that a total of $61,866.32 in sales tax was collected during the fourth quarter of 2015 through the second quarter of 2017 and was not paid to the state.

The restaurants were under the name Salsa’s Mexican Grill II LLP and involved three locations: Philipsburg, Columbia in Lancaster County and Annville in Lebanon County.

It was discovered that Sabrina Saldana previously owned and operated Salsa’s Mexican Grill Inc. in Bedford, which also had a sales tax liability.

Later she had a business known as Salsa’s Mexican Grill III LLC for a mobile lunch truck in Hollidaysburg.

Initially with Salsa’s Mexican Grill II LLP, an accountant filed the sales tax payments. This ended after the second quarter of 2016.

This accountant told investigators that she “instructed the Saldana’s that they were required to make the tax payments.”

Instead, the couple used the sales tax money to pay other expenses for the restaurants and for personal bills.

When Armando Saldana was interviewed in October of 2018, he reportedly admitted that the couple was responsible for submitting the sales tax forms and funds and they decided to use the money for other things.

He also stated that he was unaware that it was a criminal offense to not file the forms and pay in a timely manner.

Armando Saldana told investigators that after the accountant was no longer responsible for paying the sales tax, she continued to advise them to pay the taxes, but they refused to listen to her advice because they did not have the money.

Previously it was mentioned that they had similar cases for the other businesses, but there are no other charges listed in online court documents.

DuBois Woman Gets Sent to State Prison in Meth Case

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CLEARFIELD – A DuBois woman accused of possessing a quantity of methamphetamine was sentenced to state prison Monday.

Lisa Irwin, 57, pleaded guilty to felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in two cases for amounts between 100 and 1,000 grams, and to misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance in a third case.

President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman sentenced her to a total of five to 10 years in state prison.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, in July of 2021, police were called to her residence for an active mental health warrant.

A family member told them he was concerned about her drug use and there was methamphetamine in her bedroom.

Police had previously received reports that she was dealing drugs.

A search warrant was obtained for her residence and her vehicle.

In the home, they found a “large amount of suspected methamphetamine” in a safe. They also located scales, plastic baggies, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

In her vehicle, they found four individual bags of suspected meth, which was an amount “higher than what would be considered for personal use.”

She also had 12 sublingual film packages of Suboxone, and “dabs,” a potent form of THC that were wrapped individually.

On Jan. 26, police were called again to Irwin’s residence in reference to a mental health issue, according to that affidavit.

When police arrived, they spoke with a man outside who whispered “there is a ball of meth sitting on the table.”

Irwin then came to the door asking what he had just said to the officers.

Both of them went back into the residence and started shuffling things around on the table.

The officer entered and saw Irwin pick up something, hold it against her stomach and turn away from him. She was told to put it on the kitchen counter and back away.

The item was a vacuum seal bag with a large amount of a crystal substance in it, according to the criminal complaint.

While the officer spoke with Irwin about why the man had called police in the first place, she said he was jealous of another man and they had been fighting about it for a few days. On this day, she said it “boiled over” to the point she was throwing things at him.

The man said he did have things thrown at him, and was struck in the face, but did not wish to press charges. He only wanted to go to the hospital and was transported by ambulance to Penn Highlands.

Irwin was questioned more about the suspected drugs and she claimed she gave someone $500 for the bag but was not sure of its street value.

She admitted to having drug-packaging materials in the home and turned them over to police.

Later when an officer spoke with the man, he said Irwin was selling a large amount of meth, heroin and marijuana.

The crystal substance was sent for analysis to a crime lab that determined it contained 117.17 grams of methamphetamine.

GANT Police Blotter

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Clearfield Borough

  • While on patrol, police located an unresponsive female in the driver’s seat of a vehicle while the ignition was on.  The female was found to be heavily intoxicated, police said, and was transported to the hospital.  Charges are to be filed.
  • Police responded to the skate park while multiple juveniles were there during late-night hours.  The juveniles were warned of the curfew ordinance and instructed to return home.
  • Police responded to multiple juveniles who were reportedly disrupting tenants at a West Front Street residence.  The juveniles were instructed to stay off the property.
  • While on patrol, police located a distressed female who requested transportation to the hospital due to stomach pains.  Police transported the female to the hospital. 

Democratic State Attorneys General, Nearly Two Dozen, Support New Federal Gun Rule

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By Brent Addleman | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A coalition of 20 state attorneys general, all Democrats, are backing a federal gun rule in court.

The Final Rule, as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives named it, would enable law enforcement officials to trace any homemade guns used in crimes. In addition, the rule limits trafficking the weaponry.

Ghost guns are often untraceable firearms that do not have serial numbers or any other identifying marks. In some cases, ghost guns are homemade.

The group has filed an amicus brief in the case Division 80 LLC v. Merrick Garland, in his official capacity as Attorney General of the United States; Gary Restaino, in his official capacity as Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The case is filed through the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas Galveston Division.

The proposal would ensure that weapon kits and partially completed weapons are subject to serial numbers and background checks, the same as manufactured guns. A new definition would encompass that “weapons parts kits and partially complete frames and receivers are firearms if they can be readily converted to function.”

The AGs say there is a loophole enabling individuals to circumvent current gun laws and obtain ghost guns. They say the federal law is needed in order for state laws to be enforceable.

The AGs are from the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin, according to a release.


Clearfield Man Gets State Prison for Having Drugs While Living with 5-Year-Old

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CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man was sentenced to state prison Friday for having a quantity of drugs while living with a five-year-old.

Michael Star Gearhart, 35, pleaded guilty during colloquy court to felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children before President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman.

Ammerman sentenced him to a term of 15 months to three years in state prison, which will run consecutive to his current state prison sentence of 21 months to four years from a probation revocation in May.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were called to Gearhart’s residence on July 14, 2021 to assist probation officers. This home was considered a “known drug location.”

While there, officers made contact with a woman in a vehicle parked in front of the home who was found to allegedly have a bag of crystal methamphetamine.

Another individual who had an ankle monitor that was not working had arrived at the home with the woman. Both were taken into custody.

One of the probation officers advised the police that they had seen numerous articles of drug paraphernalia in plain view in the residence.

One officer found a bag with residue and another with methamphetamine as well as marijuana and a smoking pipe. They also found a large quantity of used glass pipes.

After receiving consent to search the home, officers found a desk with various amounts of crystal methamphetamine, numerous baggies and a digital scale.

Another container had more meth and buprenorphine pills.

“Throughout the living area, numerous containers were located, which were found to contain various amounts of residue and crystal methamphetamine,” according to the report.

Gearhart was questioned regarding the amount of “short-stay” traffic at his place but denied he sold meth.

Amber Dunsmore informed police that she and Gearhart lived there along with their five-year-old son. After being told she could not have a child running around in a residence with drugs and paraphernalia everywhere, Dunsmore became upset, saying she did not want to lose her child.

Dunsmore is facing similar charges in this case, in addition to four other unrelated cases.

Morrisdale Man Waives Hearing in Sexual Assault Case

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CLEARFIELD – A Morrisdale man is facing charges following allegations that he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl on four, separate occasions.

William D. Kempf, 32, is charged with felony criminal attempt-aggravated indecent assault, as well as four counts each of felony indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Kempf waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday, sending his case to county court for further disposition. Bail is currently set at $150,000.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, troopers were called to a Graham Township residence June 23, and while on-scene, received information on the four assaults.

State police say the first assault occurred in December of 2021 when Kempf forced the victim to touch his private area and also touched her inappropriately.

The second occurred after Kempf viewed pornography and accessed an interactive pornography game. Reportedly, he asked the victim to participate and placed his hand under her shift.

He took her into another room where he allegedly continued to view pornography and assault her before exposing himself. This incident ended when others entered the residence.

The third time Kempf started to view pornography on his phone and after inviting the victim to join him, he allegedly touched her chest but stopped when he received a phone call.

During the last incident June 23, Kempf placed his hand under the victim’s shirt and started rubbing it over her bra, according to the affidavit.

Kempf then asked the victim not to tell anyone about the assaults, because “it’s our little secret,” state police said.

Beish Pleads Guilty to Felony Drug Charges

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CLEARFIELD – A former Hawk Run man pleaded guilty to felony drug charges Monday during sentencing court.

Michael G. Beish, 44, whose address is now listed as unknown, was charged by state police with felony manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance after police found him in possession of 28 grams of methamphetamine, 30 packets of heroin, marijuana, and other drug sale paraphernalia in Dec. 2020.

President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman sentenced him to serve 24 months to four years in state prison.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police received information that Beish was residing at a Hawk Run home. At that time, Beish had active warrants out of Centre County for possession of methamphetamine.

When police arrived, the homeowner told them Beish was in the back bedroom and gave permission for authorities to apprehend him.

While he was being taken into custody, police say the trooper noticed the smell of marijuana in the room and saw drug paraphernalia.

A search warrant was obtained after which police located the drugs, drug packaging materials, brass knuckles, $180 in cash, and an “owe sheet” listing his clients and drug transactions in his bedroom, according to the report.

Escaped Clearfield Inmate Waives Hearing in Motorcycle Theft

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CLEARFIELD – One of the inmates who escaped from Clearfield County Jail in late May is now facing charges for allegedly stealing a motorcycle when he was at-large.

Donald J. White, 46, of Brockway is charged by Clearfield state police with felony theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and theft by deception, plus seven summaries.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, a male suspect went to a Madera residence around 9 p.m. June 15 to test drive a 2006 red and black Honda CBR 1000.

The male did not return the motorcycle, troopers said, and was found to have driven to the residence in a 2016 Ford Fusion that had been stolen from Ridgway Borough.

According to a previously-published be-on-the-lookout alert issued by state police, the motorcycle was operated by White, one of the inmates who escaped from county jail May 30

“(The) suspect is believed to have a weapon and threatened to shoot any police officer who attempts to take him into custody,” the alert said.

White escaped with Robert L. Miller Jr., 51, of Clearfield while outside the jail on a grass-cutting detail, police said, and was apprehended June 17 following a pursuit.

Miller was returned to custody June 26 after information was received that he was located at his daughter’s residence in Lawrence Township.

Previously, both White and Miller waived their rights to preliminary hearings on escape charges for which they’re being held in county jail without bail.

On Wednesday White waived his right to a preliminary hearing for the motorcycle theft, and for this, his bail is set at $10,000 monetary.

Police Charge Treasure Lake Stabbing Victim with Aggravated Assault

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DUBOIS – The victim in a stabbing case that occurred in Treasure Lake on July 1 is now also facing charges.

Joseph J. Brody Jr., 51, of Loyalhanna has been charged by Sandy Township police with aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

On July 2, Bart Anton Thompson, 47, of Pittsburgh was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

Both charges stem from a physical fight between the two men.

In addition to Brody’s stab wound that required 11 surgical staples to close the hemorrhage on his neck, Thompson suffered two orbital bone fractures that required surgery.

According to the affidavit, police responded to a report that a man had been stabbed at his camp. When they arrived at the front gate of Treasure Lake, they found a vehicle intending to transport the victim to the hospital.

After seeing his injuries, they requested emergency personnel expedite their response because the victim was “bleeding profusely and losing consciousness from a severe cut to his head/neck area.”

A witness told police he was at another camp when the victim’s wife drove into his driveway frantically asking for help for her husband who had a serious cut to his neck.

Brody was reportedly slumped over in the passenger seat “in an unstable condition.”

This witness and a friend got into the vehicle and drove him to the front gate where they encountered police and EMS.

He told police that the Brody’s wife told him the victim was stabbed by Thompson during a physical altercation.

Later police spoke with the Brody’s wife who stated she, her husband and friends, including Thompson, were hanging out that day at their camp.

While playing around throwing water at each other, Thompson grabbed a beer, which he dumped onto the victim’s head. They then started wrestling around, she said.

She went into the camper to check on her granddaughter. When she went back outside, she saw Thompson’s wife trying to separate the two men.

As the victim stood up, he was reportedly applying pressure to his neck and told her to get him to a hospital.

In his interview with authorities, Thompson said he and Brody were involved in a physical altercation during which the victim struck him numerous times in the face with a closed fist. He couldn’t remember why they started fighting but said it was a mutual fight.

A preliminary hearing for these cases is scheduled for Aug. 12.

DuBois Woman to Stand Trial in Child Endangerment Case

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DUBOIS – A DuBois woman will stand trial for endangering the welfare of children due to her son finding her and a man unconscious in their home.

Police say the eight-year-old came home from school on May 24 and discovered an unconscious man outside the apartment and his mother, Jessica Lynn Courson, 43, unresponsive in the bedroom.

The child ran to a neighbor’s home for help.

When police arrived, they administered three doses of Narcan to man before paramedics arrived, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Courson was found lying in her bed with a plastic straw in her hand. She was also given three doses of Narcan. Both were transported to Penn Highlands Hospital for treatment.

The neighbor gave officers additional doses of Narcan that Courson had given her in the event this happened, according to the report.

Courson waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday during centralized court, sending the case on to the court of common pleas for further disposition.

She is free on $5,000, unsecured bail.

Pittsburgh Man Charged in Treasure Lake Stabbing

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DUBOIS – A Pittsburgh man is facing charges for stabbing a man in Treasure Lake on July 1.

Bart Anton Thompson, 47, has been charged by Sandy Township police with aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police received a report that a man had been stabbed at his camp. When they arrived at the front gate of Treasure Lake, they found a vehicle intending to transport the victim to the hospital.

After seeing his injuries, they requested emergency personnel expedite their response because the victim was “bleeding profusely and losing consciousness from a severe cut to his head/neck area.”

He was transported to Penn Highlands Hospital where he had emergency surgery. Surgeons used 11 surgical staples to close a hemorrhage on the victim’s neck and he lost half a liter of blood in addition to suffering soft tissue injuries to his arms, according to the criminal complaint.

A witness told police he was at another camp when the victim’s wife drove into his driveway frantically asking for help for her husband who had a serious cut to his neck.

The victim was slumped over in the passenger seat “in an unstable condition.”

This witness and a friend got into the vehicle and drove him to the front gate where they encountered police and EMS.

He told police that the victim’s wife told him the victim was stabbed by Thompson during a physical altercation.

Later police spoke with the victim’s wife who stated she, her husband and friends, including Thompson, were hanging out that day.

While playing around throwing water at each other, Thompson grabbed a beer, which he dumped onto the victim’s head. They then started wrestling around.

She went into the camper to check on her granddaughter. When she went back outside, she saw Thompson’s wife trying to separate the two men.

As the victim stood up, he was reportedly applying pressure to his neck. He told her to get him to a hospital.

In his interview with authorities, Thompson said he and the victim were involved in a physical altercation during which the victim struck him numerous times in the face with a closed fist. He couldn’t remember why they started fighting but said it was a mutual fight.

Thompson’s right eye was swollen and later it was determined he suffered an orbital bone fracture that required surgery, according to the report.

Thompson’s wife explained she was trying to break up the fight when she was cut on her left forearm.

She gave police the shirt and shorts Thompson was wearing at the time of the fight. The shorts reportedly had dried blood on them and officers found a knife in the front left pocket that also had blood on it.

This case is not yet been scheduled for a preliminary hearing, according to online court documents.


GANT Weekend Police Blotter

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State police at Clearfield

  • State police received a report of burglary May 25 on the Shawville – Frenchville Highway in Girard Township. During the incident, someone allegedly took two wooden wagon wheels, a cast iron radiator and aluminum roofing from the victim’s property. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 814-857-3800.
  • State police received a report of burglary June 10 on the Mahaffey – Grampian Highway in Greenwood Township. During the incident, someone allegedly entered the victim’s barn. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 814-857-3800.
  • State police received a report of burglary July 11 on Lower Hollow Road in Boggs Township. During the incident, a Caucasian male allegedly entered several vacant homes and removed copper wiring from the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 814-857-3800.

Lawrence Township

  • Police received a report of theft July 8 on Lawrence Avenue. During the incident, an unidentified male allegedly took a bicycle from outside a Hyde residence. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
  • Police received a report about a series of retail thefts that occurred at the Clearfield Walmart Supercenter. The thefts were allegedly committed by an unidentified male, and the investigation is ongoing at this time.
  • Police reported a DUI occurred July 16 during patrol of the Riverview Road area. According to police information, officers got behind a gray Dodge Dakota, but vehicle information came back for a 1989 Ford Bronco. A traffic stop was conducted and the male driver was allegedly under the influence of a controlled substance, as well as found to be driving with the incorrect registration plate and a fake inspection sticker. The male was taken to Penn Highlands Clearfield for a legal blood draw; charges are currently pending at this time.

EXPLOREJEFFERSON: Police: Man Does the ‘Hokey Pokey’ During DUI Check, Puts Foot Out and Kicks Officer at Police Station

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BROOKVILLE BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – A 64-year-old man is in jail after reportedly doing the “Hokey Pokey” during a field sobriety test and then allegedly kicking an officer at the Brookville Borough Police station.

Court documents indicate the Brookville Police Department filed criminal charges against 64-year-old Raymond Peter Zilske, of Peterson, New Jersey.

The charges stem from two separate incidents on Tuesday, July 5, in Brookville Borough, Jefferson County.

According to a criminal complaint, while on patrol, Brookville Boro Police Department Officers observed a silver vehicle in the Arby’s parking lot, on Allegheny Boulevard, in Brookville, around 12:08 a.m. on July 5.

Police were aware this business closes at 10:00 p.m. and employees typically leave before 11:00 p.m.

Police stopped to ensure it was not a person attempting to commit a criminal act in this business or within the vehicle. As officers approached the vehicle, they observed a male, later identified as Raymond Zilske, slumped forward and to the right, the complaint states.

When an officer knocked on the driver’s side window, it reportedly startled Zilske, who stated he must have fallen asleep waiting for his friend to return. The officer asked Zilske where his friend was going, but Zilske was unable to provide an answer, the complaint indicates.

In the center console, police observed a marijuana cigarette sitting partially smoked. Zilske reportedly had bloodshot and watery eyes and admitted to smoking marijuana before sundown. He also admitted that the cigarette was a marijuana cigarette, according to the complaint.

The vehicle was not running, however; it had the keys in the ignition, the complaint notes.

Zilske agreed to field sobriety tests and showed signs of impairment, according to the complaint.

Police transported Zilske to the Brookville Police Department where he was provided his Miranda Warnings and agreed to do a Drug Recognition Evaluation. During the evaluation, Zilske “started to perform the Hokey Pokey,” at which time the evaluation was terminated, the complaint indicates.

Zilske was then transported to Penn Highlands Brookville for a legal blood draw. During his time in custody, Zilske repeatedly acknowledged his use of marijuana and suggested using Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD, the complaint notes.

According to a second complaint, Zilske kicked a Brookville police officer in the back of the leg, near the calf muscle, while he was being walked down a hallway in the Brookville Police Department.

Following this, Zilske was escorted into the patrol vehicle and after inquiring about his vehicle, police informed Zilske that his vehicle would likely be towed. Zilske then yelled at the officers a statement that upon release from jail, he would kill the officers, the complaint states.

Zilske was arraigned at 9:57 p.m. on July 5, in front of Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak on the following charges:

– Aggravated Assault – Attempts to cause or causes BI to designated individuals, Felony 2
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– DUI: Gen Imp/Inc of Driving Safely – 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– Possession of Marijuana, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary

Unable to post $20,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 28, at 1:45 p.m. with Judge Bazylak presiding.

DuBois Woman Will Face Trial for Allegedly Assaulting, Stabbing Man

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DUBOIS – A DuBois woman will stand trial for allegedly assaulting and stabbing a man.

Ashlee Marie Bennett, 25, was charged by DuBois City police with aggravated assault, simple assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment.

She waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday during centralized court. At that time, her bail was reduced from $100,000 to $100,000, unsecured and she was released, according to online court documents.

The charges stem from an incident on July 7 at an apartment on South Brady Street.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police received information that Bennett was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend.

Shortly after they arrived on-scene, neighbors told them they heard the two arguing throughout the day. They said that Bennett was the one assaulting the man.

One witness heard the victim asking Bennett to “please stop.” She also saw the victim who appeared to have several injuries, including a stab wound on his leg, a deep scratch mark on the right side of his neck and bruising and swelling around his eye. She related she was concerned for his safety.

At first Bennett did not answer the door when police knocked. Eventually she did and said the victim was not in the apartment.

She admitted they had been fighting and he left with her cell phone. She claimed he had also removed fuses from her vehicle, rendering it inoperable.

Officers could see numerous items broken and thrown around the apartment that were consistent with a fight.

When she was asked if she had physically assaulted him or cut him with a knife, she reportedly admitted she cut him.

She minimized the assault saying: “I was holding a knife against his leg and telling him to stop when he moved quickly and I accidentally cut him.”

Police thought she was nervous as she explained the knife injury as an accident.

She explained they had recently returned to the area and she blamed Bennett for her relapse into drug use. She reportedly admitted she was currently using methamphetamine.

As they talked, she became extremely irrational and stated that she needed to leave to avoid being killed by the victim. She was advised how to get an emergency protection from abuse order, but she declined the offer.

She also refused a ride to a friend’s house, saying she would wait for him to return and “handle it herself.”

She also said: “I didn’t call you guys. If I wanted your help, I would have called you.”

Police then contacted the neighbors and asked them to call if the victim returned to the apartment. One of them stated the victim used her phone to call his mother because he said Bennett destroyed his phone.

An officer then contacted the victim’s mother to try to find him. She related that the victim told her Bennett had physically assaulted him and intentionally destroyed his cell phone.

She also stated that she had co-signed for the victim to get the apartment and Bennett was not supposed to be there.

The mother was able to forward photos of the victim’s injuries to police, which confirmed the description they had been told earlier, according to the criminal complaint.

The officers then went back to apartment to arrest her for domestic violence. Bennett yelled obscenities at them and became irate.

While she was in handcuffs, she began violently kicking items in the apartment, police said. She demanded officers review footage from a camera on the refrigerator, which she claimed had evidence of him assaulting her.

Instead, the footage reportedly showed Bennett attempting to provoke him “even raising and swinging a cooking pan near him numerous times.”

She stated that he struck her multiple times in the head and that she had been vomiting blood all day. She demanded medical attention and an ambulance was called to the scene.

While she was waiting for the ambulance in the squad car, police say she kicked the rear passenger side window cage numerous times while making threats.

Among these were threats regarding her obtaining a gun and that she “couldn’t wait for the war,” according to the report.

DuBois Woman Gets Sent to State Prison in Meth Case

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CLEARFIELD – A DuBois woman accused of possessing a quantity of methamphetamine was sentenced to state prison Monday.

Lisa Irwin, 57, pleaded guilty to felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in two cases for amounts between 100 and 1,000 grams, and to misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance in a third case.

President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman sentenced her to a total of five to 10 years in state prison.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, in July of 2021, police were called to her residence for an active mental health warrant.

A family member told them he was concerned about her drug use and there was methamphetamine in her bedroom.

Police had previously received reports that she was dealing drugs.

A search warrant was obtained for her residence and her vehicle.

In the home, they found a “large amount of suspected methamphetamine” in a safe. They also located scales, plastic baggies, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

In her vehicle, they found four individual bags of suspected meth, which was an amount “higher than what would be considered for personal use.”

She also had 12 sublingual film packages of Suboxone, and “dabs,” a potent form of THC that were wrapped individually.

On Jan. 26, police were called again to Irwin’s residence in reference to a mental health issue, according to that affidavit.

When police arrived, they spoke with a man outside who whispered “there is a ball of meth sitting on the table.”

Irwin then came to the door asking what he had just said to the officers.

Both of them went back into the residence and started shuffling things around on the table.

The officer entered and saw Irwin pick up something, hold it against her stomach and turn away from him. She was told to put it on the kitchen counter and back away.

The item was a vacuum seal bag with a large amount of a crystal substance in it, according to the criminal complaint.

While the officer spoke with Irwin about why the man had called police in the first place, she said he was jealous of another man and they had been fighting about it for a few days. On this day, she said it “boiled over” to the point she was throwing things at him.

The man said he did have things thrown at him, and was struck in the face, but did not wish to press charges. He only wanted to go to the hospital and was transported by ambulance to Penn Highlands.

Irwin was questioned more about the suspected drugs and she claimed she gave someone $500 for the bag but was not sure of its street value.

She admitted to having drug-packaging materials in the home and turned them over to police.

Later when an officer spoke with the man, he said Irwin was selling a large amount of meth, heroin and marijuana.

The crystal substance was sent for analysis to a crime lab that determined it contained 117.17 grams of methamphetamine.

Philipsburg Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine

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JOHNSTOWN – A Philipsburg man pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced Monday.

Keegan McChesney, 24, pleaded guilty to a lesser included offense at count two of the superseding indictment before Senior U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, from July of 2019 to June of 2020, McChesney conspired to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Gibson scheduled sentencing for Dec. 1, 2022. The law provides for a minimum sentence of five years in prison and maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000 or both.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of McChesney.

Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States.

OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks

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