(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: October 17, 2024):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that Tuesday HALE, formerly of Bradford, was sentenced to state prison at a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse this afternoon.  HALE was charged by Officer Joshua Frederoski of City of Bradford Police after a man reported that he had received a message that his girlfriend had been kidnapped and ransom was demanded in the form of controlled substances. 

Following investigation, HALE and a co-defendant were charged.  HALE was convicted at a jury trial of Attempted Acquisition of a Controlled Substance (Felony); Solicitation to Commit Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony); Conspiracy Terroristic Threats (Misdemeanor ); and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (Felony 3).  Assistant District Attorney Casey Graffius prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. In a separate case filed by Officer Matthew Gustin, HALE pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance -Cocaine (Misdemeanor). The Judge sentenced HALE to a term of incarceration of 3 ½ years to 7 years, drug and alcohol treatment, submit a DNA sample, and additional terms. She is not eligible for any early parole program.

Original post: HALE CONVICTED IN FAKE “KIDNAPPING FOR DRUGS” PLOT (McKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: August 23, 2024): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a two-day jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Tuesday HALE, formerly of Bradford, was convicted of crimes related to a staged “kidnapping-for-ransom-of-drugs” plot in the City of Bradford in August, 2023. HALE was charged after the City of Bradford Police received a report from a Bradford man who had received messages – including a staged picture – from his girlfriend’s cell phone stating that his girlfriend had been kidnapped and was being held in a drug-induced state. 

The messages further stated that the kidnapped woman would be sexually assaulted if the male did not deliver methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and money to the kidnapper. During the initial investigation, officers were able to locate the allegedly-kidnapped woman.  Upon further investigation, the officers learned that HALE and the allegedly-kidnapped woman worked together to stage a fake kidnapping to obtain drugs and money from the male. HALE was convicted of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (Felony 3); Solicitation of the Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F); Criminal Conspiracy of Terroristic Threats (Misdemeanor 1); and Attempted Acquisition of a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, or Subterfuge. Officer Patrick Caskey, Officer Hobie Milliron, and Officer Tyler Blair assisted in the investigation and trial.  Officer Joshua Frederoski was the lead investigator and filed charges.  Assistant District Attorney Casey Graffius prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/post/sentencing-fake-kidnapping-drugs-scheme