POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT:
On the dates of January 16th and 17th, multiple victims have reported thefts in the area of Perry Highway and Frew Mill Road in Perry Township, Lawrence County. Through investigation, PA State Police have discovered that several wallets, mechanical tools, check books, and a firearm were taken from the vehicles that were unlocked and parked in driveways.

THEFT:
Kaitlyn Simmons, 30, of Ellwood City was charged with Theft after an incident on January 23rd. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 4:26 p.m., police received a call of retail theft at Giant Eagle in Franklin Township. Simmons had taken two Red Bull energy drinks without paying. Charges are to be filed.

THEFT:
Jesse Derflinger, 36, of Darlington, is charged with Theft after an incident on December 31st. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 2:47 p.m., police received a call from Little Beaver Historical Society regarding a theft. While on scene, police were advised that an individual stole multiple items totaling $440.00. Derflinger had taken a quilt, spray paint, an extension cord, and a $20.00 bill. Police made contact with Derflinger who then gave police the stolen items. Charges are pending, according to police report.

HARASSMENT:
Jacqueline Brasko, 34, of Ellwood City is charged with Harassment after an incident on January 14th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 12:00 p.m., police were informed at the station of an act of harassment by a male victim. He reported that Brasko had been harassing him due to an ongoing argument of custody of a minor child. The report relates that Brasko had sent the victim 71 texts messages on January 10th, and 80 text messages on January 12th all harassing or vulgar in nature. The victim had contacted police about this harassment prior to this report. On December 11, 2023, the victim reported Brasko to police regarding harassment and police contacted Brasko on December 11th and had told her to stop harassing the victim, or she would be arrested for harassment. According to the complaint, Brasko did not listen and continued her course of conduct and thus has been charged with harassment.

TERRORISTIC THREATS:
A 28-year-old Wampum man has been charged with terroristic threats, simple assault, criminal mischief, and harassment after an incident on November 14th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 12:01AM and 12:06PM the female victim reported that her boyfriend, the arrestee, had physically attacked her and placed a fire arm to her head and threatened to shoot her. After the event, the victim left the residence to stay with a friend, but returned to the residence later that day. Upon returning, the arrestee attacked her again, breaking her eye-glasses and necklace.

source: Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office

HIDTA OPERATION 24-2/3 (pictured)
On Monday, January 15, 2024, Detectives from the Lawrence County District Attorney’s HIDTA Drug Task Force executed two sealed search warrants. The first warrant utilized Lawrence County CIRT at 1652 E. Poland Road in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County. Located inside the residence were the targets of the investigation: D’Ante Sykes, Kory Gaines, and Faithen Parker, all from Detroit, MI. Search of the residence yielded the following: 44.6 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 81 grams of suspected heroin packaged in 21 individual baggies, 85.7 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine packaged in 11 individual baggies, 2 digital scales, Glock model 19 semiautomatic handgun, Ruger model SR9c semiautomatic handgun, $2,836 in U.S. currency, and 5 cellular phones. All three occupants were arrested, charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver, Receiving Stolen Property and Drug Paraphernalia, and lodged in the Lawrence County Jail. The second warrant was executed at 1906 Hamilton Street, New Castle, due to numerous citizen complaints of suspected drug activity. Five individuals were located inside the residence, all were taken into custody and charges are pending.

DRUG TRAFFICKING:
A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced this week. Donald Snowden, 32, of New Castle, was sentenced by United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab. Judge Schwab ordered Snowden to serve three years of supervised release following the prison sentence. In August 2023, Snowden pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine between May 2021 and October 2022 and to distributing fentanyl in August 2022. In pleading guilty, Snowden acknowledged responsibility for the distribution of 100 grams of cocaine and 16 grams of fentanyl. He was on probation for a prior felony conviction when he committed the crimes in this case.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Snowden.

DUI:
Lance Wheeler, 38, of Ellwood City is charged with DUI after an incident in March 2023. According to criminal complaint, police stopped Wheeler due to an expired inspection sticker. The passenger in the vehicle accompanying Wheeler stated that she knew the car was overdue on inspection. Police observed Wheeler to be fidgety, and had poor eye contact with the officer. Police also observed a slight smell of marijuana. A Standard Field Sobriety Test was conducted on Wheeler for which he failed. Wheeler was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and was transported to a nearby hospital for blood work.

DUI:
Raymond Ashburn, 34, of Ohio is charged with DUI after an incident on January 13th. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximatly 10:44PM, police responded to a disturbance at Sheetz. Police were informed that Ashburn was involved in a verbal altercation with minors, and had drove off seemingly drunk according to the complaint. When police had located and made contact with Ashburn, an immediate smell of alcohol was observed. Police asked Ashburn a number of times to conduct a Standard Field Sobriety test which Ashburn refused. Police arrested Ashburn and transported him to the ECPD.