Police Reports

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Buffalo man charged with various crimes throughout McKean County pled guilty yesterday in front of a Judge at the McKean County Courthouse. Clyde Hoskins, of Buffalo, was charged with Burglary and drug crimes in several jurisdictions across McKean County between March and October, 2023.

Hoskins was initially charged by Foster Township Police and, as a result of the arrest, the vehicle he was driving was impounded and taken to a building owned by Tuna Valley Towing.  Following investigation, Hoskins was identified and charged by City of Bradford Police with breaking into the building, retrieving evidence out of the vehicle, and stealing a surveillance camera owned by the company. 

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the person reported to be the primary fentanyl dealer in the Kane area has been sentenced to state prison following a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on February 1^st.  Catherine Morrison, of Kane, was charged by the McKean County Drug Task Force with Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities and several Drug Deliveries around the Kane Area.

Last fall, the McKean County Drug Task Force received a tip that Catherine Morrison was the primary fentanyl dealer in the Kane Area and actively selling narcotics around Kane.

Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling initiated an investigation after receiving reports from citizens who reported their suspicions to Chief Yingling.  Over the next several weeks, Detectives set up surveillance on Morrison and charged her with delivering drugs as well as using the proceeds of drug sales to promote additional drug sales.

Between September 28, 2023 and October 24, 2023, Morrison delivered Methamphetamine and/or a Fentanyl/Xylazine mixture on three occasions in the Kane area.  Immediately after the third delivery occurred, Detectives initiated a traffic stop on Morrison and executed a search warrant at the residence at which she resided.  Additional Methamphetamine and Fentanyl/Xylazine mixtures were located.  Xylazine was just classified as a Schedule III controlled substance in Pennsylvania in June due to its potency and dangerous effects.  It is a sedative approved for veterinarian use. It is often seen combined with Fentanyl.  Fentanyl is known to be mixed with nearly every drug and often leads to drug overdose deaths. 

We have identified what we believe to be an increase in methamphetamine mixed with fentanyl that has resulted in deaths in the last 30 days.  Other deaths are under investigation and pending toxicology and autopsy.  We are in contact with our law enforcement partners in surrounding counties and local law enforcement is investigating each overdose death. 

We caution all users that any substance has the potential of being mixed with fentanyl which increases its lethality.  Previously, heroin was the substance most often thought of as being mixed with fentanyl.  Users may opt for other substances under the mistaken belief that they are safer and would not contain fentanyl.  That is not accurate.  Anyone who has what they believe to be a controlled substance in their possession should assume the substance contains fentanyl. 

We also reiterate that anyone providing controlled substances to someone faces strict penalties.  If a drug causes a death, anyone in the chain can be charged with the crime of Drug Delivery Resulting in Death.  In other words, McKean County Law Enforcement investigates every overdose death as a possible Drug Delivery Resulting in Death prosecution and every person in the chain – from the person who gave the drug directly to the victim, the person who gave the drug to that person, the person who packaged it, etc. can be prosecuted. 

McKean County has medication drop boxes throughout the county that are available for any person to deposit substances and we urge citizens to deposit any such substance in the boxes. The medication drop boxes are located within the Bradford City Police Department, Bradford Township Police Department, Kane Borough Municipal Building, McKean County Sheriffs’ Department and Pennsylvania State Police-Lewis Run.  Parents should be on the lookout for tin foil or baggies containing powder or crystalized substance.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/post/alert-fentanyl-mixed-methamphetamine-suspected-deaths

Cuba Police Department 

*** Press Release ***

On January 29th, 2024 at approximately 9:07PM, following a report of a domestic dispute, Cuba Police arrested Conner D. Strong (20) of Cuba, NY.

Strong was arrested on charges of criminal mischief 4th (Misdemeanor), criminal obstruction of breathing (Misdemeanor), unlawful imprisonment 2nd (Misdemeanor) and assault 2nd (Felony).

Strong was processed, placed in front of a Cuba Town Justice and sent to the Allegany County Jail on $10,000.00 bail. Strong is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.