Latest news with #PennsylvaniaAttorneyGeneral'sOffice
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
PA AG: Seven arrested in trafficking pounds of meth into Pennsylvania from New York
COUDERSPORT, Pa. (WETM) — A Coudersport man and six others were arrested in connection to a large-scale drug smuggling operation that saw pounds of meth and fentanyl enter northern Pennsylvania from New York, according to a release from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday, Jr. announced the arrest of the following people on Tuesday, June 10, for their alleged involvement in the operation that spread the counties of Potter, McKean, Elk, Cameron, and Warren. Benjamin Simms, 31, of Coudersport, but currently incarcerated at a state prison in Marienville, PA. Kyle P. Brown, 39, of Emporium, PA. Marry Ann Stolburg, 61, of Ridgeway, PA. Justin Meyer, 38, of Saint Marys, PA. Beau Azzato, 20, of Saint Marys, PA. Richard Bauer, 64, of Johnsonburg, PA. Josh Dalton, 35, of Ridgeway, PA. Pennsylvanians can now carry concealed firearms in 30th state All seven were arrested on the charges of felony possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy, and other related offenses. Attorney General Sunday said that Simms and Brown worked together while others operated alone. Simms is considered a mid-level dealer and is accused of trafficking between 30 and 40 pounds of meth in one year from New York. As mentioned above, Simms is already incarcerated in a state prison, but Brown is at the McKean County Prison on $50,000 bail. Sunday's officer is expected to prosecute Simms and Brown while the Elk County District Attorney's Office will prosecute the remaining people. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
2 African wildcats seized in Pennsylvania drug bust
Two African wildcats were seized during a drug bust in central Pennsylvania, in addition to more than $85,000 worth of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. Jennifer Dixon, 27, and Nicholas Rumsey, 33, have each been charged with possession with intent to distribute, endangering the welfare of a child, and other related drug charges, according to a Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office news release. During a search of the their residence in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania last week on June 5, about three pounds of methamphetamine, 159 grams of fentanyl, 9 grams of heroin, and $7,390 in cash were seized, according to a news release. Investigators estimate the total value of the drugs to be around $85,800. According to Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers, about 7,950 doses of fentanyl were seized during the search. Opioid epidemic: Drug overdose deaths plummet to pre-pandemic levels during fentanyl crisis During the search, two African wildcats were located in the basement of Dixon and Rumsey's residence, a news release states. The animals appeared to be unlawfully kept, as permits are required to keep wildcats in the state of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Game Commission confiscated the wildcats as part of an ongoing investigation. "The rescue of these African wildcats serves the dual benefit of protecting these exotic creatures and protecting the people in that neighborhood," Sayers said in a news release. The Pennsylvania Game Commission did not immediately respond for comment about the status of the African wildcats when contacted by USA TODAY on June 11. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 African wildcats seized in Pennsylvania drug bust
USA Today
11-06-2025
- USA Today
2 African wildcats seized in Pennsylvania drug bust
2 African wildcats seized in Pennsylvania drug bust The two African wildcats are in the care of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Show Caption Hide Caption Spider monkey rescued after bizarre drug bust A spider monkey named Violeta has a temporary home at the Oakland Zoo after authorities found her while executing a drug-related search warrant. Two African wildcats were seized during a drug bust in central Pennsylvania, in addition to more than $85,000 worth of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. Jennifer Dixon, 27, and Nicholas Rumsey, 33, have each been charged with possession with intent to distribute, endangering the welfare of a child, and other related drug charges, according to a Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office news release. During a search of the their residence in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania last week on June 5, about three pounds of methamphetamine, 159 grams of fentanyl, 9 grams of heroin, and $7,390 in cash were seized, according to a news release. Investigators estimate the total value of the drugs to be around $85,800. According to Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers, about 7,950 doses of fentanyl were seized during the search. Opioid epidemic: Drug overdose deaths plummet to pre-pandemic levels during fentanyl crisis African wildcats discovered in the basement during bust During the search, two African wildcats were located in the basement of Dixon and Rumsey's residence, a news release states. The animals appeared to be unlawfully kept, as permits are required to keep wildcats in the state of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Game Commission confiscated the wildcats as part of an ongoing investigation. "The rescue of these African wildcats serves the dual benefit of protecting these exotic creatures and protecting the people in that neighborhood," Sayers said in a news release. The Pennsylvania Game Commission did not immediately respond for comment about the status of the African wildcats when contacted by USA TODAY on June 11. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Day two of testimony underway for Shawn Cranston murder trial
Day two of testimony is underway in the trial of Shawn Cranston, the man accused of murdering Rebekah Byler, a pregnant Amish woman, in Sparta Township last year. On Tuesday, a state police forensic DNA analyst testified that the DNA found on that rubber-like material is 790 septillion times more likely to be Shawn Cranston's. That's 790 with 24 zeros after it. The DNA expert said anything over 1,000 is considered strong. About 25 members of the Amish community filled the courtroom while only three people were sitting in the area designed for Craston's family and friends. The most emotional testimony came from Julie Warner, Andy and Rebekah Byler's primary driver. She testified that on February 26, she dropped Andy off at his home on Fish Flats Road just a little after noon. He went to his house, and she went to the barn to use the restroom. Moments later, Warner said Andy came running to the barn, he was frantic, and said someone had killed his wife. He then ran to her truck and 'lost it.' Warner told Andy he needed to go into the house and get the kids out, but he said he couldn't. Warner knew she couldn't leave the kids in the house alone with their mother if she was dead or injured, so she was going to go in and get them. That's when she saw Rebekah's body and called 911. That call was played for the jury — Warner was heard saying, 'She's lying on the floor. I don't know if she's alive. Should I go in and check on her?' The dispatcher told Warner to go inside and see if she's beyond medical help. Warner is then heard saying, 'There's a big pool of blood. Blood coming out of her nose and ears and it looks like her throat was slit.' The 911 dispatcher asked if Rebecka's body was cold. Warner said, 'I don't know, I didn't touch her.' Warner then touched her leg and said it 'was cold.' While the 911 call was being played, many Amish sat in the courtroom, leaning forward with their heads in their hands. Some were crying and wiping away tears. Meanwhile, Cranston sat at the defense table, showing no emotion. Jurors also saw key pieces of evidence, like tires and shoes, that prosecutors said put Cranston at Byler's house the day of the murder. The jury also saw efforts to allegedly destroy evidence at Shawn Cranstons' home. There was also expert testimony from a forensic DNA analyst, along with a forensic serologist, which is someone who studies blood and other body fluids. Cranston is facing charges of criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary, and criminal trespass. Testimony will continue on Wednesday, Related Stories: Trial begins for man accused of murdering pregnant Amish woman Trial for man accused of killing pregnant Amish woman pushed to 2025 2024 Amish murder case transferred to Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office New information takes center stage in Rebekah Byler murder trial Daughter of arrested suspect reacts to pregnant Amish woman murder case List of seized items released in pregnant Amish woman homicide case Murdered Amish woman suffered injuries to head, neck: investigators Community remains in shock following Amish woman's death, Corry man's arrest Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Trial begins for man accused of murdering pregnant Amish woman
The trial for the man accused of killing a pregnant Amish woman in Sparta Township in early 2024 is set to begin this week. Shawn Cranston, 53, of Corry, is facing charges of criminal homicide for the death of both 23-year-old Rebekah Byler and her unborn baby. According to court paperwork, the trial of 53-year-old Shawn Cranston was delayed after it was expected to start in March, citing new information in the case. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office will be prosecuting the case at the Crawford County courthouse. Monday, we heard testimony from Andy Byler, Rebecca's husband, along with the first trooper on scene and a forensic state trooper. During opening statements, we also learned a possible motive of burglary. Andy Blyer testified that when he came home from work on February 26, 2024, his two children, ages 2 and 3 came running out outside to tell him someone had killed their mom. Andy said he didn't believe them… until he walked up to the door and saw Rebecca's white hat on the floor next to her legs. The jury was then shown a crime scene photo of Rebecca on the floor. Those photos were not shown to the courtroom . Andy said that after discovering Rebecca's body, his driver, Julie, stayed with his kids while he drove Julie's truck to the neighbors to tell them what happened. He then drove back to his house and stayed in the driveway until state police arrived. He never went inside his house. Andy was then asked about a strange incident. He said two weeks before Rebecca's murder, someone came to the house around 10 or 11 o'clock at night. Andy said he got out of bed and went to the door with a flashlight and saw a white man with a bald head and beard walking up to the door. The man said he wanted to buy the Byler's house, but he'd be back the next day. He never came back. When asked if that person was in the courtroom, Andy said, 'I think he's sitting over there,' referring to 53-year-old Shawn Cranston. Andy told the court that after the murder, he noticed his safe was missing from the house. The first Trooper on the scene told the jury about walking into the Bylers' home and finding Rebecca on her back, with a large laceration to her throat, a wound near her hairline and her head in a pool of blood. The Forensic Trooper testified about finding Rebecca's body in the living room area with a bullet hole in her left temple and a suspected knife wound to the neck. He also testified about other evidence, like shoe prints and tire impressions found at the crime scene, along with a small piece of a latex glove found in the Byler's trash. Tuesday, Julie Warner, Andy Byler's driver, is expected to take the witness stand. We're being told the jury will hear the recording of the 911 call she made to report Rebecca's murder. Related Stories: Trial for man accused of killing pregnant Amish woman pushed to 2025 2024 Amish murder case transferred to Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office New information takes center stage in Rebekah Byler murder trial Daughter of arrested suspect reacts to pregnant Amish woman murder case List of seized items released in pregnant Amish woman homicide case Murdered Amish woman suffered injuries to head, neck: investigators Community remains in shock following Amish woman's death, Corry man's arrest Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
