Police Reports

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that two woman have been charged recently with drug deliveries at the end of a drug investigation into their sale of drugs throughout McKean County by the McKean County Drug Task Force.

Tammy MCMAHON, of Bradford, and Misty MIHALKO, of Smethport, were charged by Detectives with the McKean County Drug Task Force with selling drugs in the county.

District Attorney Stephane Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court has affirmed the conviction of a Kane man convicted of Incest, Rape and other crimes.  Brian GAUSMAN was convicted after a jury trial in 2023 of Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Assault, 2 counts of Incest and 2 counts of Indecent Assault. 

GAUSMAN was later determined to meet the criteria to be classified as a sexually violent predator and he was sentenced to a period of incarceration in state prison for 18 years – 36 years plus 3 years of consecutive probation.  The Superior Court upheld the conviction and sentence. and denied the appeal. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.  Officer Michael Henry of Kane Borough Police Department investigated the case. If you suspect child abuse call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313 and 911.

Original Post after sentencing:

District Attorney Stephane Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court has denied the latest appeal of a Bradford man convicted of one of the largest cocaine delivery cases in county history and one that resulted in the forfeiture of his property.

James Howard FOWLER was convicted in 2016 of several drug crimes after delivering cocaine to a confidential informant working under surveillance of the McKean County Drug Task Force. 

A subsequent search warrant executed at FOWLER’S Bradford residence yielded a large amount of cocaine, scales, Ziplock bags with corners cut out (the corners commonly used to package cocaine for sale), and other items indicative of possessing cocaine with the intent to deliver it.

At trial in 2016, FOWLER argued that he was friends with the informant and that, but for that close relationship, he would not have delivered cocaine or possessed cocaine with the intent to deliver.  The jury rejected his claim and FOWLER was convicted and incarcerated for several years at sentencing. He appealed his conviction and the Superior Court denied it.

(McKean County, Pennsylvania: July 1, 2025) District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Bradford woman convicted of Rape of an Unconscious Person and other crimes at a jury trial in March was sentenced by a judge during a sentencing hearing held at the McKean County Courthouse yesterday.

Donna SIMONS, 67, was sentenced to a period of incarceration in state prison for 8 1/2 years to 17 years plus 3 years of consecutive probation on charges of Rape of an Unconscious Person, Involuntary Devious Sexual Intercourse of an Unconscious Person, Sexual Assault, Simple Assault (deadly weapon enhancement) and Terroristic Threats (deadly weapon enhancement).  The crimes relate to a sex assault committed by SIMONS on a 17-year-old male at a Fourth of July party in Bradford Township in 2024. SIMONS will be required to register as a sex offender for her lifetime. 

SIMONS was ordered to provide a DNA sample, have no contact with the victim and other terms.  SIMONS is not eligible for any early parole program. Bradford Township Police Officer Jordan McCalla investigated the case.