Police Reports

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Mount Jewett man was convicted of failing to register as required for sexual offenders.  James MCMICHAEL was charged by Trooper Andy Eliason of the Pennsylvania State Police with failing to appear at the State Police barracks during a semi-annual registration window as required and for failing to update his mailing address, phone number and email address within 3 business days as required under the act. 

He was convicted after a jury trial held today at the courthouse.  MCMICHAEL is required to register as a sex offender for 25 years and to do so two times per year as designated by the state police.  He has two windows of time each year during which he must register.  One of them is the period of time from June 28th and July 7th.  In 2024, MCMICHAEL was charged with failing to register between June 28 and July 7 and, additionally, failing to update his mailing address, phone number and email within 3 days of the change.  He was charged with committing the violations between  January 1, 2024 and July 7, 2024. 

(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania:  April 21, 2025):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a man with 2 cases pending in McKean County has been sentenced by a McKean County Judge.  Patrick FUHR appeared last Thursday for sentencing on two cases.  He had been charged by Foster Township Police with driving a vehicle that had been stolen from a Buffalo car dealership.  After he made bail months after that arrest, Troopers with the State Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle he was driving and he attempted to flee them – hitting their cruiser before fleeing into New York where he would ultimately wreck the vehicle in a chase that saw officers from multiple jurisdictions in McKean County and NY participating. 

FUHR was sentenced for Receiving Stolen Property (Felony 3); Fleeing Police (endangering others) (Felony 3); Resisting Arrest with use of a Deadly Weapon; 6 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person with a Deadly Weapon and numerous traffic citations.  FUHR was sentenced to a term of incarceration of 6 years to 12 years in state prison, pay restitution, and other terms.  He is not eligible for any early parole programs.   

City of Bradford Police Department

Bradford, PA, April 16, 2025 — At approximately 6:59 AM this morning, the City of Bradford Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to SR 219 North on the Mill Street bridge overpass in response to a two-car motor vehicle crash.

Due to icy road conditions resulting from overnight and morning inclement weather, officers were compelled to temporarily close SR 219 to ensure the safety of responding crews and to conduct a thorough investigation. One injury was reported at the scene, prompting immediate attention from emergency personnel.

PennDOT was on-site to address the icy conditions by applying salt, thereby enhancing roadway safety for motorists. The City of Bradford Police Department urges all drivers to exercise caution and reduce speed during adverse weather conditions to minimize the risk of accidents.

On April 14th, 2025, at approximately 1417 hours, a City of Bradford Police officer made an arrest at the Bradford Area Public Library. While on patrol, Sgt. Matthew Gustin encountered a male, identified as 35-year-old James D. Peters, seated at the front entrance of the library. Upon observation, the officer found controlled substances in plain view. The officer identified the substances as illegal to possess and took Peters into custody for possession of controlled substances and possession of paraphernalia. Peters was transported to the police station for processing and fingerprinting.

Charges have been filed accordingly. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On April 11, 2025, the City of Bradford Police Department took a report of an incident that occurred the previous day, April 10, 2025, at 41 Main Street in Bradford. A female case worker, who was performing her job duties at the time, was approached by the defendant, Michael S. Carpenter. The defendant pulled out a knife and made threatening statements, saying he would kill the police and anyone who got in his way. The victim asked the defendant to put the knife away, but he instead approached her with the knife pointed in her direction, causing her to retreat and exit the building to remove herself from the situation. The City Police prepared charges accordingly, and the defendant was subsequently arraigned by Magistrate Richard Luther. He was remanded to McKean County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.

Preliminary hearings are set in the matter. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The City of Bradford Police Department is committed to keeping our community safe and holding individuals accountable for their actions. We appreciate the cooperation of the victim and the public in this matter. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the City of Bradford Police Department.

On November 14th, 2024, at approximately 0716 hours, City of Bradford Police responded to a call to check on the welfare of a male slumped over the wheel of a motor vehicle on West Corydon Street. Upon arrival, officers observed the male in the driver’s seat of a running parked vehicle, sleeping with what appeared to be a firearm in his right hand. To ensure public safety, the roadway was closed, and a perimeter was secured around the vehicle. Officers then moved in, awoke the male, and safely removed him from the vehicle without incident.

Upon further investigation, officers determined the male appeared to be under the influence of controlled substances and observed drugs and paraphernalia in plain view. The items were secured as evidence, and the firearm was identified as a .177 caliber pellet pistol, which resembled an actual firearm. The male, identified as Daniel R. Vargas, was taken into custody, and the evidence was sent to the PSP Lab for testing.

The lab results confirmed the substance to be Methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Charges were filed accordingly, and Magistrate Luther arraigned Vargas on April 10th, 2025, setting bail at $2,500 unsecured. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in this matter. The City of Bradford Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. We appreciate the public’s cooperation and vigilance in reporting suspicious activity. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Location West Corydon Street Bradford, PA 16701 Arrest Date Apr 10, 2025 Incident Type Drugs / Narcotics Violation

Olean, NY – April 3, 2025 – at approximately 6:35 p.m., the Olean Police Department received a call reporting a male subject acting erratically and waving a gun around at 124 N Barry St, Apartment 5. In response, Olean Police, with support from the New York State Police, quickly established a perimeter around the apartment building to ensure the safety of the community and surrounding area.

According to dispatch reports, a description of the male subject was immediately provided. Within minutes, a male matching the description was observed descending the staircase from apartment #5. Officers on scene swiftly took control of the situation.

During the encounter, the male subject identified as Nathan A. Karns (31) of Little Genesee, NY and was found in possession of a hand gun.

Olean Police successfully took Mr. Karns into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Olean Police Department for processing.

Karns has been charged with Felony Criminal Possession of a weapon 2nd degree, Felony Reckless Endangerment 1st degree, Menacing 2nd degree and Endangering the welfare of a child. Karns was arraigned and remanded to Cattaraugus County Jail in Little Valley.

On April 7th, 2025, at approximately 0900 hours, the City of Bradford Police Department assisted Pennsylvania State Parole at 1 Circle Street in Bradford. As a result of this investigation, City Police took, Norman Michael Quinn, into custody for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver and Possession of related drug paraphernalia. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Magistrate Luther arraigned Quinn and remanded him to McKean County Jail on $50,000 straight cash bail. Preliminary hearings are set in the matter. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The City of Bradford Police Department is committed to keeping our community safe and working to combat illegal drug activity. We appreciate the cooperation of Pennsylvania State Parole in this investigation. If you have any information about this case please contact the City of Bradford Police at 814-887-4911.  Thank you for your continued support in keeping our community safe.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports the woman previously charged by City of Bradford Police with Criminal Trespass has now been charged with additional crimes related to methamphetamine inside the McKean County Jail. Amber TUCKER was charged by McKean County Detective Linda Close with Contraband (bringing a controlled substance into a jail); Contraband by an Inmate; and Possession of a Controlled Substance. 

TUCKER had been arraigned on her original charges and remanded to the Jail.  The criminal complaint filed against her alleges that, upon her processing at the jail, Corrections’ Officers found methamphetamine in TUCKER’S jacket.  She was arraigned by Magisterial Judge William Todd who set bail at $20,000.