District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court has affirmed the conviction and sentencing of Walter “Ghost” Dennis for drug crimes.  DENNIS had been convicted after a two-day jury trial of Possession with the Intent to Deliver, Possession of Contraband by an Inmate, and other charges related to an investigation by the McKean County Drug Task Force on drug trafficking in McKean County.  

After DENNIS arranged a drug delivery with a person cooperating with the McKean County Drug Task Force, he then arranged to meet the person for the purpose of selling her drugs.  When he arrived at the location, he was taken into custody by Officers.  Controlled substances and empty blue and white checked baggies were found on him.  He was then taken to the McKean County Jail.  Based on information they received, the Detectives alerted Corrections’ Officers that DENNIS may have hidden additional narcotics in his rectum.  Corrections’ Officers searched DENNIS during the booking process and had him shower per their protocol.  Upon his removal from the shower, the Corrections’ Officers located additional soggy blue and white checkered baggies in the drain of the shower containing a substance– the substance would later test positive for fentanyl and tramadol.  Following his conviction, the Judge sentenced him to 8 years to 16 years in state prison.  DENNIS appealed, arguing that, despite the jury’s verdict, the evidence was not sufficient to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  

Following legal written argument submitted by his attorney and DA Vettenburg-Shaffer, the Superior Court, in an opinion filed today, summarized some of the trial testimony and exhibits and found that the evidence was sufficient to find him guilty of the crimes.  The Court opined “we discern no merit to Dennis’ challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence.” DENNIS remains incarcerated serving his sentence.  Original Press Release on his sentencing below:  WALTER DENNIS AKA “GHOST” SENTENCED TO 8 -16 YEARS FOR DRUG CRIMES IN MCKEAN COUNTY (SMETHPORT, Pennsylvania, July 20, 2023):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that Walter Lee Dennis, referred to in the press as “Ghost,” was sentenced to a period of state incarceration of 8 years to 16 years following his conviction on drug offenses. DENNIS was convicted following a 2 day jury trial in June.  

Detectives with the McKean County Drug Task Force testified that, on March 27 and March 28, 2022, DENNIS was intending to deliver narcotics to an individual and they placed him under surveillance.  Detectives with the McKean County Drug Task Force as well as Officers with the City of Bradford and Bradford Township maintained surveillance on him.  He was taken into custody and found to have on him crack cocaine and empty glassine bags commonly used to package narcotics.  

He was later found by McKean County Jail Corrections’ Officers to have brought similar bags that were identified by the lab to contain a mixture of fentanyl and tramadol – both controlled substances.  He was convicted of Contraband (Felony 2); Possession of a Controlled Substance by Inmate (Felony 2); Possession with Intent to Deliver (fentanyl and tramadol) (Felony); Tampering with Evidence (Misdemeanor 2); 2 counts Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl with Tramadol and Crack Cocaine) (Misdemeanors); and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility to facilitate a Felony Drug  Crime (Felony 3). District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.  

Detective Kolin Strawcutter with the McKean County Drug Task Force investigated the case. DA Shaffer argued that DENNIS committed several distinct crimes during that incident which started with him possessing narcotics with the intent to deliver them to another person, followed by him taking fentanyl into the jail, and, finally, trying to tamper with that evidence by shoving it into the drain of a shower at the facility – and his sentence should reflect that. 

In two other cases he pled guilty to a charge of Possession with Intent to Deliver (Felony)- which was originally investigated as a robbery but was later determined by Officers to be an intended delivery of a controlled substance- and Theft of Services (Misdemeanor 1) for failing to pay a cab driver.  At the time of the crimes, DENNIS was on county supervision for misdemeanor charges.  His supervision was revoked as part of today’s sentencing. In addition to incarceration of 8 years to 16 years, he was required to pay lab fees and restitution; D&A evaluation; 1 year of consecutive probation; and additional terms.  The Judge found him to not be eligible for early reentry programs such as boot camp. If you suspect illegal drug activity, please report it to the McKean County Drug Task Force at MCDTFtip@gmail.com.