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. Sentencing is set for October 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.