(McKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: January 9, 2026): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that one of the people arrested during a drug sweep by the McKean County Drug Task Force in July has pled guilty. Nateka SHUGARS, formerly of Bradford, pled guilty before a judge at the McKean County Courthouse on January 8^th. SHUGARS pled guilty to delivering cocaine on three occasions between March 27, 2024, and July 24, 2025. SHUGARS was under surveillance by the Detectives with the McKean County Drug Task Force. Sentencing was scheduled for March. Please report suspected drug activity to Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org.

ORIGINAL POST:_____________________________________________________________________

MCKEAN COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE ARRESTS FOUR IN LATEST ARREST DETAIL 

(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: July 28, 2025): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports the results of an arrest detail involving 4 people in the county over the last five days which was the conclusion of a lengthy investigation into drug activity in the area. DA Vettenburg-Shaffer notes that drug investigations are ongoing and additional arrests are expected.

On Friday, July 25^th, Task Force Detectives arrested Nateka SHUGARS, High Street, Bradford.  SHUGARS was charged with 2 counts of Delivery (Cocaine) (Felony); 2 counts of Possession (misdemeanors); and 2 counts of Criminal Use of a Communication Device (Felony 3). SHUGARS was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther who set bail at $250,000.  SHUGARS is scheduled for central court on July 31^st. 

One day earlier, the Task Force Detectives charged another local woman with drug sales.  Katlyn BUTERBAUGH, of School Street, Bradford, was charged with 3 counts of Delivery of methamphetamine (Felony); 3 counts of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (Felony 3); and 3 counts of Possession (Misdemeanor).  BUTERBAUGH is charged with delivering methamphetamine over the course of several months.  Court records note that a search warrant was executed at this residence following her arrest on Thursday.  BUTERBAUGH was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther who set bail at $200,000.  BUTERBAUGH is scheduled for central court on July 31^st. 

Other persons arrested during this week’s arrest detail were Brian FITZPATRICK, of High Street, Bradford, and Guy SIMMONS, of West Corydon Street.  FITZPATRICK was charged with Delivery (crack cocaine) (Felony); Possession (misdemeanor); and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility .  FITZPATRICK was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther who set bail at $75,000.

Guy SIMMONS, of West Corydon Street, Bradford, was charged with Delivery (methamphetamine) (Felony); Conspiracy to Deliver (methamphetamine) (Felony); Possession (misdemeanor) and Paraphernalia (misdemeanor).  SIMMONS was  arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther who set bail at $150,000.