POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

NARCOTICS AND FIREARM CHARGES:
Daniel Feliciano, 49, pleaded guilty to six counts of violating federal narcotics and firearm laws on February 12, 2026.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between October 2022 and March 2024, Feliciano conspired with others to distribute cocaine throughout Western Pennsylvania, specifically in the New Castle area. In addition to the conspiracy charge, Feliciano pleaded guilty to distributing and/or possessing with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine on three different dates, as well as possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.

On March 14, 2024, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Feliciano’s New Castle residence, where they seized approximately 150 grams of cocaine and cocaine base in the form commonly known as crack, multiple digital scales that contained or later tested positive for cocaine residue, an assortment of drug packaging materials, nearly $2,000 in cash, three cell phones, three firearms, and various calibers and quantities of ammunition and loaded and unloaded magazines that totaled more than 2,400 rounds. The firearms included two 9mm semi-automatic pistols—one loaded with approximately 10 rounds of ammunition, including one round in the chamber, and that was accompanied by a similarly loaded second magazine, and the second firearm loaded with a magazine capable of holding approximately 31 rounds of ammunition and containing 14 rounds—and a .40 semi-automatic pistol that contained 13 rounds of ammunition, including one round in the chamber, that was accompanied by three magazines, each loaded with between 12 and 18 rounds.

Investigators determined that Feliciano possessed these firearms to protect his product, his profits, and his person in relation to his drug trafficking crimes. Feliciano was convicted in 2002 of an aggravated assault felony in Puerto Rico, for which he was sentenced to two years in prison. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Feliciano was one of 17 defendants from Lawrence County, Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico; and Youngstown, Ohio, indicted in March 2024 in this case, which saw members of the conspiracy transporting drugs from Puerto Rico to Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and elsewhere for distribution (read the Indictment news release here). Feliciano was the last of the defendants to plead guilty.

Lawrence County is one of six Western Pennsylvania counties officially designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. The county received its HIDTA designation in July 2022, allowing it to receive dedicated federal resources to coordinate federal, state, and local governments in fighting drug trafficking and abuse. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

DUI:
Nate Bauder, 37, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after a crash on January 3rd at approximately 12:02 a.m. According to a criminal complaint, police responded to the scene of the accident on Shaffer Rd., Slippery Rock Township, to observe Bauder walking with unsure footing and upon making contact was found with alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. Police administered a field sobriety test for which Bauder failed and he was placed under arrest.

DUI:
Jonathan Cutwright, 30, of Butler, is charged with DUI and Careless Driving after an incident on October 25, 2025. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 10:15 p.m., police responded to a report of an assault into carjacking at a scene located on Old State Road, Slippery Rock Township. When police made contact with Cutwright who was observed walking along a roadway he related he had left a party and on his way home stopped at Sheetz where he observed a white male wearing dark clothing and ski mask who had flagged him down for a ride because he was cold. The report relates that when the unknown individual entered Cutwright’s vehicle he punched him twice and attempted to seize control of the vehicle before fleeing the scene. Cutwright then attempted to flag down passing cars to report the incident. According to the complaint, police located his vehicle crashed a half mile north of the interview location and Cutwright denied crashing his car and was not drunk. When questioned Cutwright provided vague and imprecise details and later was confronted by police with evidence that he was intoxicated and falsely reported the carjacking to cover up the crash. Police administered a field sobriety test for which Cutwright failed and he was placed under arrest for DUI.

UNLAWFUL ACTS RELATED TO ALCOHOL:
Shannon Brown, 43, of Ellwood City is charged with two counts related to unlawful acts involving alcohol and liquor licensees after an incident on February 9th. According to a criminal complaint, undercover officers first made a visit to the Oak Grove Inn on Portersville Road in January after it was learned from a search of the PA Liquor Control Boards licensing database that the establishment’s liquor license was placed into safekeeping on July 1, 2025 due to non-compliance for tax purposes. The initial visit was made on 1/9/26 when the undercover officer was sold a beer and shot of liquor and police later arrived on January 30th to provide notification of the violation for sales with expired license. According to the complaint, Brown was notified and advised the officer she would cease sales. Brown provided a written statement in relation to the sales from 7/1/25 to 2/2/26. On February 9th, a follow-up undercover visit was conducted and the officer was again sold a beer and shot of liquor. The liquor license remains in safekeeping at the time and the premises has no authority to sell alcohol the complaint relates.