District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that today’s raid by the McKean County Drug Task Force was the conclusion of a several months’ long investigation into drug trafficking by two accused drug traffickers. 

Dawn BUTERBAUGH and David DICKINSON, both of 3 Pike Street in Bradford, were charged by criminal complaint alleging several drug crimes and firearms violations. Detective Kolin Strawcutter and Detective Seth Shephard of the McKean County Drug Task Force filed the charges at the conclusion of the investigation which began with reports of drug sales by BUTERBAUGH and DICKINSON out of the residence on Pike Street from November 13, 2025, to January 8, 2026. The defendants are accused of working together to deal in unlawful proceeds by selling cocaine and using the drug proceeds to fund additional drug transactions as well as living expenses.

Dawn BUTERAUGH is charged with 5 counts of Conspiracy Delivery of Cocaine (felonies); Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds (Felony 1); Conspiracy Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (Felony 3); Possession of Firearm with obliterated serial number (Felony 2); Possession of Firearm by a Person Not Permitted to Possess (Felony 2); 5 counts Possession of a Controlled Substance (misdemeanor); and Endangering Welfare of a Child (Felony 3).

David DICKINSON is charged with 5 counts of Delivery of Cocaine (felonies); Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds (Felony 1); 5 counts Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (Felony 3); Possession of Firearm with obliterated serial number (Felony 2); Possession of Firearm by a Persons Not Permitted to Possess (Felony 2); and 5 counts Possession of a Controlled Substance (misdemeanor).

The complaints filed against the pair allege that, on November 13th, 2025, November 21st, 2025, December 3rd, 2025, January 5th, 2026, and January 8th, 2026, DICKINSON and/or BUTERBAUGH, working together, communicated via communication device with an informant working under the surveillance of the McKean County Drug Task Force.

The pair is accused of working together to commit the crimes over a period of time from November 13, 2025, and January 8, 2026. On some of the occasions, a minor child over whom BUTERBAUGH owes a duty of care was present in the house at the time of the drug transactions. Following a drug transaction on January 8th that was under surveillance of the Detectives, BUTERBAUGH and DICKINSON attempted to drive away from the residence.  A team of the McKean County Drug Task Force Detectives, McKean County Drug Task Force Officers, City of Bradford Police Officers and Bradford Township Police Officers forced a traffic stop and took

BUTERBAUGH and DICKINSON into custody while other Detectives maintained surveillance and security of the residence and executed a search warrant at the location. Upon execution of the search warrant, Detectives located a loaded .32 caliber handgun hidden under a pillow in the bedroom where the drugs were sold. The gun’s serial number was scratched off and unable to be read.

Both BUTERBAUGH and DICKINSON are prohibited from possessing a firearm. DICKINSON and BUTERBAUGH were arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David Engman who set bail at $200,000 on each of them. Both are scheduled for central court next week.

If you suspect illegal drug activity, please call McKean County Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office (814)887-3312 or McKeanDA.org. All accused are innocent until proven guilty.