WOMAN ACCUSED OF DEALING IN UNLAWFUL DRUG PROCEEDS FOLLOWING MCKEAN COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE ARREST

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford woman is accused of selling drugs out of a residence at 15 Belleview Avenue arrested after the McKean County Drug Task Force arrested her and two others out of that residence on January 20, 2026.
Justina AMES is charged by Detective Seth Shephard with 3 counts of Conspiracy Possession with Intent to Deliver (crack cocaine) – Felonies; 2 counts Criminal Use of a Communication Device (Felony 3); Possession with Intent to Deliver (Felony); Drug Paraphernalia; and Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds (Felony 1).
Justina AMES is accused of setting up drug sales and conspiring with Patricia AMES and Raymond KELLEY to sell crack cocaine and possessing additional crack for sale while under the surveillance of the McKean County Drug Task Force. During a search warrant, additional crack cocaine was located along with scales and packaging material commonly used to package crack cocaine. In addition to directing drug sales of her co-conspirators, Justina AMES is accused of accepting cash for the sale of crack cocaine and using those drug proceeds to facilitate future illegal drug sales. Justina AMES was arraigned by on-call magisterial district judge William Todd who set bail at $150,000 straight.
Justina AMES was remanded to the McKean County Jail and is scheduled for central court next week. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer notes: “Drug tips by citizens and business owners often are the catalyst for a drug investigation that leads to an arrest and, with it, the removal of a suspected trafficker from the community.
Tips that have led to arrests and, ultimately, conviction have been received by the County Detective Bureau at the District Attorney’s Office from citizens across the county from Kane to Bradford. If you suspect drug crimes, please report it to Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org.”
All accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.




