A Smethport couple was arraigned Thursday after a marijuana bust
at their East King Street home Wednesday night.
Joseph Yehl, 23, and Katrina Holden, 22, are both facing charges
after a McKean County Drug Task Force bust at their residence at
112 E. King St.
District Attorney Ray Learn said 46 marijuana plants, a pipe,
needles and a grow lamp were seized from the residence.
The couple’s two children — one age 4 and the other just five
months old — lived at the residence as well, according to court
records at Magisterial District Judge Bill Todd’s office in
Smethport.
At 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, a confidential informant of the task
force made a controlled purchase of one marijuana plant from the
residence. Task force officers then obtained a search warrant for
the residence and found the 45 plants, along with drug
paraphernalia.
Yehl is charged with two counts of possessing and delivering one
plant of marijuana and one count of possessing 45 marijuana plants
with intent to deliver them, all felonies; possession of 45
marijuana plants, possession of one marijuana plant, and three
counts of possession of paraphernalia, all misdemeanors; and two
counts of endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree
misdemeanors.
Holden is charged with possession with intent to deliver 45
marijuana plants, a felony; possession of the plants and of drug
paraphernalia, misdemeanors; two counts of endangering the welfare
of children, first-degree misdemeanors; and conspiracy to possess
marijuana, a felony.
When contacted by The Era, Learn said, “The Drug Task Force has
dramatically increased operations over the past few months. Drug
work, by its nature, takes time and this arrest is just the
beginning of the results from the operations over the past few
months. The officers involved in this case did a commendable job
and continue to work to root out illegal drug activity all over
McKean County.”
Yehl and Holden were arraigned by Todd. Yehl was sent to McKean
County Jail in Smethport in lieu of $20,000; Holden posted $20,000
bail and was released.
