(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: September 13, 2024):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a multi-month investigation, James WHITE, of Buffalo, has been charged with drug crimes in four separate cases in McKean County.

Detective Kolin Strawcutter, of the McKean County Drug Task Force, led the investigation into WHITE. The complaints filed by Strawcutter charged WHITE with delivering substances on 4 separate occasions. The complaints allege that, acting on intelligence, the McKean County Drug Task Force initiated an investigation and set up surveillance of WHITE to further the investigation into reports of illegal drug activity.  While under surveillance, the complaints allege, that WHITE utilized a communication device to arrange for the sale of substances and, on 4 occasions, delivered the substances in exchange for cash. 

Detectives indicate in the complaints that, after WHITE arranged for the sale of the substances, he then delivered them – sometimes the substances were crack cocaine and, at other times, a substance packaged to look like cocaine but, in reality, was not a controlled substance. 

On September 12th, the Detectives obtained a search warrant.  Immediately prior to the execution of the search warrant, the complaints allege, WHITE delivered crack cocaine in exchange for cash. 

During the execution of the search warrant, Detectives found additional cocaine – 33 individually packaged baggies of crack cocaine. WHITE is charged with 3 Counts of Delivery/Possession with Intent to Deliver (crack cocaine) (Felony); 2 Counts of Delivering a Non-controlled Substance as a Controlled Substance (Felony); 3 Counts Criminal Use of a Communication Device (Felony 3); and 3 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (misdemeanor).

WHITE was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther who set bail at each case at $50,000, $50,000, $75,000, and $100,000, respectively.  WHITE is scheduled for Central Court next Thursday. If you suspect illegal drug activity, please contact the McKean County Drug Task Force at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org