Our Street Crimes Unit arrested 49 year old Andrew A. Bennett of 3585 Fay Hollow road Hinsdale N.Y. for selling Crack Cocaine in the City of Olean on two separate dates. Bennett was taken into custody on warrants charging him with two counts of Criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd. degree and two counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree. all charges are B Felonies. Bennett was released until further court proceedings.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse on February 5th, a Port Allegany man was convicted of assaulting a child.
Garret HOMELL was charged after an investigation by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Bradley Walters who led the investigation into the cause of injuries to a 3-year-old child who presented at the emergency room covered in bruises.
Following the investigation, Trooper Walters charged HOMELL with Aggravated Assault of a Victim less than 6 years old, Endangering Welfare of a Child, Simple Assault, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. During the trial, the jury heard testimony that the 3-year-old victim was left in the care and custody of HOMELL for the weekend of January 24, 2025, through January 25, 2025.
HOMELL was the sole caregiver of the child that weekend. When the child’s foster mother picked him up, he was covered in bruises. The child was taken to the Bradford Regional Medical Center emergency room for treatment. In the days following, the child was seen for follow up at BRMC, by his primary care physician and, ultimately, at UPMC-Pittsburgh.
The jury heard testimony from the victim’s foster mother, CYS caseworkers, HOMELL’s ex-wife, several members of the Pennsylvania State Police, and numerous medical professionals who saw the child. A doctor who is an expert in the field of child abuse pediatrics testified that her expert opinion is that the cause of the child’s injuries was child abuse.
The jury convicted HOMELL of Aggravated Assault of a Victim Less than 6 (felony of the second degree); Endangering Welfare of Children (felony of the second degree); Simple Assault (misdemeanor of the first degree); and Recklessly Endangering Another Person (misdemeanor of the second degree). The District Attorney’s Office will seek an enhanced penalty as permitted under Pennsylvania law for the child’s age and the nature of his injuries.
For these enhancements, the jury found that HOMELL both attempted to cause bodily injury and did cause bodily injury to increase the penalty for aggravated assault; that HOMELL created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury and the child was under six years of age to increase the penalty for Endangering Welfare of a Child; and that HOMELL both attempted to cause bodily injury and did cause bodily injury and the child was under the age of 12 to increase the penalty for Simple Assault.
The Presiding Judge also found Homell guilty of Harassment (a summary). Second Deputy District Attorney Sarah Dufresne prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer: “The nature of this case resulted in evidence that was hard to see, including photographs of the injuries to the young child.
Trooper Walters completed a thorough investigation and Second Deputy District Attorney Sarah Dufresne led a successful prosecution in a case with a most vulnerable victim. Child abuse cases are difficult, yet no case is more important than one with a young victim. Their collective efforts and tireless work on the case are evident, and I thank them for working so hard for this child. Sentencing will be announced by subsequent court order. If you suspect child abuse, please call Childline at 1-800-932-0313 and 911.
City of Bradford Police Department Announces Arrest in Megan’s Law Compliance Investigation The City of Bradford Police Department announces the arrest of Joshua K. Green following an investigation into violations of Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law registration requirements.
During a separate ongoing investigation into a theft of approximately $15,000 from PA Skill Games Machines at 94 Main Street (Bradford PC Repair) owned by Brian and Amelia Garges, officers learned of Green’s possible involvement in the theft.
During that investigation officers received information indicating that Green, a registered Tier 3 Megan’s Law offender, was residing in the rear storage room of Bradford PC Repair among other locations other than his registered address and working at Bradford PC Repair without reporting his employment, both in violation of registration requirements.
Records from the Pennsylvania State Police Megan’s Law Section confirmed that Green is subject to lifetime registration after being convicted in 2020 for Indecent Assault of a Person Less than 13 Years of Age and is required to report any changes in residence, employment, or lodging in person within three business days.
The investigation further revealed that Green was not registered as a transient offender and had failed to complete required in-person updates. Through interviews with multiple individuals, officers obtained statements indicating that Green had been living at unregistered locations and working “under the table” for an extended period of time.
Based on this information, criminal charges were filed for failure to comply with Megan’s Law registration requirements under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.1. Green was subsequently taken into custody.
The City of Bradford Police Department reminds the public that Megan’s Law registration requirements are in place to enhance community safety, and violations of these requirements are taken seriously. Green was arrested on 12/30/2025 and arraigned where bail was set at $25,000. Green, unable to post bail, was remanded to McKean County Jail.
All charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sourced via
On January 30, 2026, at approximately 1:40 a.m., City of Bradford Police officers conducted a traffic stop on South Avenue after observing a vehicle operating with an equipment violation.
During the stop, officers identified the driver, who was found to have a suspended license and active out-of-state narcotics warrants. While officers were investigating, the rear seat passenger and registered owner, Amelia Garges, exited the vehicle and was observed discarding an item into a nearby snowbank. Officers immediately recovered a clear bag containing suspected narcotics.
Additional drug paraphernalia was also located on Garges’ person. Field testing later confirmed the substance to be a fentanyl and cocaine mixture. Amelia Garges was taken into custody and transported to BCPD for processing.
She was arraigned by MDJ Engman, and bail was set at $5,000. Garges was unable to post bail and was remanded to McKean County Jail for committal.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The City of Bradford Police Department reports the arrest of Kenneth Bell following incidents involving active warrants, flight from police, and drug-related offenses. On November 10, 2025, at approximately 10:39 p.m., officers encountered Bell as a passenger in a vehicle operated by Raymond Kelley at the Country Fair gas station on West Washington Street.
Kelley, who was known to be DUI-suspended, admitted to driving and identified Bell, who had an active warrant issued by PSP Lewis Run. Bell was taken into custody. A search revealed a glass smoking pipe with burnt residue and approximately eight grams of suspected crack cocaine, along with packaging materials, a digital scale, Suboxone strips, THC vape cartridges, and other paraphernalia inside Bell’s backpack.
A silicone container inside the vehicle also contained suspected crack cocaine, which field-tested positive. The vehicle was searched after a search warrant was obtained. Bell was remanded to jail this date on the arrest warrant. Bell later made bail and was released.
On January 25, 2026, at approximately 11:05 a.m., officers observed Bell outside 9 Kiwanis Court and recognized he had an active warrant issued by the City of Bradford Police Department in relation to the prior offense on November 10th, 2025. When ordered to stop, Bell fled on foot.
After a brief pursuit through deep snow Patrolman T. Blair with the assistance of Patrolman C. Keane, safely took Bell into custody without further incident. Police also noted Bell had previously fled officers on January 16, 2026, by jumping from a window at 6 Kiwanis Court while officers attempted to arrest him on the same warrant.
All charges are pending through the appropriate judicial process. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Bell was arraigned before Judge Luther on the flight-related charges and was remanded to the McKean County Jail on $50,000 bail. He was also arraigned before Judge Engman on the drug-related charges and remanded to the McKean County Jail on an additional $50,000 bail.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Port Allegany man has pled guilty to Failing to Verify his address as required by the law formerly known as Megan’s Law. During a plea hearing at the McKean County Courthouse, Karl RENNER pled guilty after charges were filed by Trooper Angelina Kimberly of the Pennsylvania State Police in July. RENNER had moved to another property but failed to notify the State Police of his new address.
RENNER is a person required to report to the State Police with any change in address due to a prior conviction. In a separate case, RENNER pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence and a Firearms’ violation. Assistant District Attorney Sarah Dufresne prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. He will be sentenced in March.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a former Rixford man pled guilty during a plea hearing at the McKean County Courthouse today to Failing to Register his address as required by the law formerly known as Megan’s Law. Corporal Sierra Rooke of the Pennsylvania State Police charged Allen YORK with the crimes after a report he had been evicted and began living in another location but had failed to disclose this change in residency to the State Police as required, explained Assistant District Attorney Sarah Dufresne who prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
During a plea hearing at the McKean County Courthouse today, YORK pled guilty to Failing to Register as required. YORK is a person required to report to the State Police with any change in address due to a prior conviction. He will be sentenced in March.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford man has pled guilty to threatening another person while holding a weapon. Shawn LOADHOLT entered a plea of guilty during a plea conference at the McKean County Courthouse to a charge of Terroristic Threats and Disorderly Conduct. Assistant District Attorney Sarah Dufresne advised the Court that the Commonwealth was seeking a deadly weapon possessed enhancement due to the possession of a weapon by LOADHOLT during the commission of the crime. LOADHOLT was charged by City of Bradford Police Officer Colby Keane. He will be sentenced in March.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Smethport man has pled guilty to growing marijuana. Mark BURLINGAME was reported to be growing marijuana by a Borough employee who observed the suspicious plants at his residence and contacted police.
Former Chief (now retired) Patrick Warnick investigated and filed the charges. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer advised the court that this is the 2nd offense violation by BURLINGAME of a felony violation under Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. He will be sentenced in March.
Brandan M. Willoughby, 34, of Olean NY, was taken into custody following a traffic stop on I-86 E in the Town of Great Valley due to multiple vehicle and traffic law infractions. Following an investigation Willoughby consented to the use of a K9 for a vehicle search. K9 Cash positively alerted to the odor of narcotics on the passenger side door of the vehicle operated by Willoughby. Following a subsequent search of the vehicle deputies located a quantity of suspected methamphetamine. Willoughby was transported to the Olean Substation for processing.
Willoughby was processed and released on an appearance ticket and multiple uniform traffic tickets for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, Operate Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Switched Plates, No/Inadequate Brake Light. Willoughby is due in the Town of Great Valley Court at a later date for further proceedings.
Members of the Olean Police Departments Emergency Response team served a Search warrant at 212 W. Oak St. apartment B on January 16th at approximately 6:00 p.m.. The Search Warrant was a result of an investigation conducted by the Street Crimes Unit into drug sales from this apartment.
Investigators located over 52 Grams of Cocaine and over 4 Grams of Fentanyl as well as cash. Charges of Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree ( B Felony ) two counts, was placed on 29 year old Markeel Hilson of 505 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Hilson is to appear in Olean City court on February 3rd. The Street Crimes Unit was assisted by the Southern Tier regional drug task force.
January 22, 2026: K9s with the McKean County Detective K9 Unit and the City of Bradford K9 Unit conducted a planned search of Coudersport High School at the request of school administration. Coudersport Borough Police and Pennsylvania State Police-Coudersport assisted in the search.
Pictured are McKean County K9 Rigby and Detective Dakota Eaton, K9 LG, and City of Bradford K9 Duke and Detective Seth Shephard. Missing from photo is K9 handler Bob Rinfrette. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer: “The K9 Units of the McKean County Detective Bureau and City of Bradford regularly search schools and government buildings upon request. To request a search of your school or government building, please call McKean County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org.
Bryent Wayne JOHNSON, of Kane, has been charged with Theft for allegedly receiving money on behalf of his employer, PV Paving and Concrete, LLC, but not turning the funds over to the company.
McKean County Detective Todd Erickson filed a complaint against JOHNSON charging him with 2 counts Theft by Unlawful Taking (Felony 3) and 2 counts Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received (Felony 3). JOHNSON is alleged to have committed the crimes between September and November 2025.
JOHNSON is accused of bidding jobs on behalf of PV Paving and Concrete, LLC, obtaining materials and supplies on the accounts of PV Paving and Concrete, LLC, and receiving money from the customers without turning the money over to PV Paving and Concrete, LLC. JOHNSON was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge William Todd who set bail at $40,000 straight. JOHNSON is scheduled for central court next week.
JOHNSON, BRYENT WAYNE
THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING
THEFT BY FAILURE TO MAKE REQUIRED DISPOSITION OF FUNDS RECEIVED
Age 24 Gender Male
Presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/mckean/da/136029/arrests/johnson-bryent-wayne-theft-unlawful-taking-and-1-additional-charge
