(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: July 17, 2026): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford woman was sentenced for felony drug crimes during a sentencing hearing held at the Courthouse on July 16^th.  Justina AMES was sentenced by the judge to a period of incarceration in state prison for at least 13 months to up to 26 months and one year of consecutive supervision.   AMES was sentenced for Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds (Felony 1); Possession with Intent to Deliver cocaine (Felony); and Conspiring with others to Deliver cocaine (Felony). 

AMES was charged along with co-defendants after an investigation into drug trafficking by the McKean County Drug Task Force. Detective Seth Shephard filed the charges after his investigation revealed that, between December 30, 2025, and January 20, 2026, AMES conspired with two others to sell cocaine on three occasions, and she possessed additional cocaine that she intended to sell. Detective Shephard also discovered that AMES conducted a financial transaction with the intent of promoting unlawful activity. AMES was ordered to pay restitution to the McKean County Drug Task Force, pay lab user fees, and other conditions. 

DA Vettenburg-Shaffer noted that the McKean County District Attorney’s Office and McKean County Drug Task Force review the financial transactions associated with drug crimes committed by those who deal drugs and pursue crimes related to the financial transactions along with the underlying drug deliveries when evidence is found to support the financial charge. The District Attorney explained that the crime of Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds is a Felony 1 offense which is the most serious felony in Pennsylvania and is punishable under a more serious guideline range for a sentence.  DA Vettenburg-Shaffer explained that the goal of targeting the financial crimes along with the underlying drug crimes is to remove the profit motive associated with drug dealing and, along with that, increases potential penalties, holds those who profit from drug crimes accountable, and impedes those who sell drugs by targeting their cash flow. She explains that the crime of Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds involves conducting a financial transaction with the intent of promoting unlawful activity and the Detectives are pursuing this serious crime in each case where it is supported by the evidence.

DA Vettenburg-Shaffer urges the public to report all illegal drug activity to the McKean County Drug Task Force by contacting Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or on McKeanDA.org.