Police Reports

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Kane man who possessed child pornography has been sentenced by the Judge at a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on November 7th. Trey HOWE had previously pled guilty to possessing child pornography for possessing hundreds of images including both prepubescent and post pubescent children, some of which depicted indecent contact within the images.

Pennsylvania State Police-Computer Crimes Division handled the investigation. HOWE was sentenced to 2 years to 4 years plus 3 years of consecutive supervision.  Additional terms included mental health treatment, including sex offender treatment, sex offender registration for 15 years, no unsupervised contact with juveniles and other terms.  He is not eligible for any early parole.   

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Port Allegany woman was sentenced for a physical assault on a minor child.  Mary WILLIAMS pled guilty to Simple Assault and Endangering Welfare of a Child after being charged by Port Allegany Police. 

At a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on November 7th, she was sentenced to 85 days to 18 months in the county jail; no unsupervised contact with the victim; mental health treatment and related terms.  She had credit of 85 days served. 

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a convicted sex offender was sentenced to state prison for failing to register as a sex offender. Colton MILLIRON was sentenced to a period of 18 months to 36 months plus 3 years of consecutive probation – this sentence to run consecutive to another sentence he received on another case for a total sentence of 24 months to 56 ½ months. 

MILLIRON was previously convicted at a jury trial of a sex offense for which sex offender registration is required under the law formerly known as Megan’s Law.  He was charged by State Police and pled guilty to failing to provide information related to a change of address, change of job, and email accounts as required under registration requirements. He is not eligible for any early parole program.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on November 7th, Edwin MCPEAK, of Olean, New York, was sentenced to state prison for robbing a bank in Eldred. MCPEAK entered the Hamlin Bank in Eldred on June 6th wearing a gorilla-style mask and demanding money from cashiers while having a firearm.  He fled in a truck that was found to have been stolen from Olean. 

Bank employees conveyed the description of the truck to 911.  Law enforcement from all over McKean County began looking for the vehicle.  MCPEAK was observed in the vehicle and officers pursued him.  He lost control of the vehicle on Rew Hill causing the truck to go over an embankment and was taken into custody.  Pennsylvania State Police-Lewis Run charged MCPEAK. He was sentenced on charges of Robbery- demanding money from financial institution; Robbery – threatening serious bodily injury; Theft (of bank funds); and Receiving Stolen Property (vehicle from Olean). 

The District Attorney sought a sentencing enhancement that applies when a weapon is used in a crime.  The enhancement allows for a higher permissible sentence.  This enhanced sentence was applied by the Court. The Judge sentenced MCPEAK to incarceration in state prison for 5 years to 10 years plus consecutive supervision. Additional terms include no contact with victims or witnesses, pay restitution for the damage to the vehicle and damage to property, etc. and provide a DNA sample.  MCPEAK is not eligible for any early parole program.  The money was recovered and will be returned to Hamlin Bank. 

K9S COME TO SMETHPORT 4TH GRADE (SMETHPORT, Pennsylvania: November 7, 2024): K9s LG and Nico visited children in Smethport earlier this week.  The K9s, along with McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer and K9 handlers Bob and Vicki Rinfrette, were invited to visit fourth-graders at Smethport Elementary on November 4th.  LG is trained to locate drugs and Nico is trained to locate explosives. 

The visit was part of an educational program geared toward elementary-aged children.  The students and visitors talked about the dangers of drugs and that police officers are their friend. They also talked about what police officers do to keep us safe, how the K9s help the police, and what to do if they are offered drugs.  The students were left with pledge cards with LG’s picture that they can sign as a pledge to say “no” to drugs.  Thank you for inviting us Mrs. Wertz! If you would like a presentation for your group, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312.