SMETHPORT — A former Coudersport woman accused of fleeing from police entered a guilty plea Thursday in McKean County Court.
Kacie M. Butler, 30, who is currently serving state prison time in Muncy for several Potter County cases, pleaded guilty to a charge of flight to avoid apprehension. On July 29, 2019, Butler traveled through the commonwealth to avoid apprehension on a felony warrant; she fled in a vehicle on Slack Hollow Road, Eldred, then she exited the vehicle and fled on foot, according to District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer.
Also in court, Michael M. Maddox, 25, of Bradford, pleaded guilty to charges of flight to avoid apprehension and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. On Nov. 28, Maddox refused to bring the vehicle he was operating to a stop, even though state police gave visual and audible signals for him to stop; when Maddox wrecked the vehicle, he fled on foot, according to Shaffer. Maddox will be sentenced April 15.
Derik N. Nelson, 22, of Bradford, pleaded guilty to a charge of fleeing or attempting to elude an office and summary charges. According to Shaffer, on Dec. 10, Nelson failed to stop at a stop sign and drove a gas-powered minibike without a headlamp system at a time when his operating privileges were suspended or revoked. He failed to stop for Bradford City police, who were using audible and visual signals for him to stop, leading them on a low-speed chase; an officer tackled Nelson off the motorcycle. He will be sentenced April 1.
Brian E. Conner Jr., 31, of Cyclone, pleaded guilty to charges in two cases: in one case to simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, and in the other to DUI-controlled substance. According to Shaffer, on July 19, Conner punched a woman in the face, causing extreme pain, and put his hand on her neck and squeezed; also, on Feb. 13, 2020, Conner drove under the influence of Suboxone. He will be sentenced April 15.
Charles W. Yocum Jr., 22, of Eldred, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful kill/take big game-closed season and unlawful use of artificial light. Shaffer said that between Oct. 5 and Nov. 21 in 2019, on at least three occasions, Yocum either took game or aided Dylan Sprester in taking game — specifically deer — during closed season, and he used artificial light to get the deer. He will be sentenced April 1.
Cory J. Chatmon, 22, of Bradford, pleaded guilty to a charge of simple assault. On Dec. 15, Chatmon threw a metal can of butane lighter fluid at a female, causing a contusion on her head, according to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Shade. Chatmon will be sentenced April 15.
Christopher D. Link, 30, of Smethport, pleaded guilty to a charge of institutional vandalism. On Aug. 19 at McKean County Jail, Link intentionally damaged a window in A Block valued at $904.81, causing the window to shatter, said Shaffer. Link will be sentenced April 1.
Jeffrey W. Duell Jr., 31, of Coudersport, pleaded guilty to a charge of bad checks. According to Shade, on June 18, Duell passed a check belonging to someone else for $829.15 knowing it would not be honored. He will be sentenced April 15.
The following people were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program: Burton L. Crowell, 60, of Emporium, for DUI-controlled substance/alcohol and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; Jacob R. Oberdalhoff, 27, of Jacobus, for DUI-controlled substance/alcohol; Perry A. Carlson, 65, of Port Allegany, for DUI-alcohol; Lincoln Swanson, 20, of Kane, and Drew P. Tyger, 25, of Lakewood, N.Y., both for DUI-general impairment; Karissa Neal, 28, of Port Allegany, for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; and Richard M. Knepp Jr., 41, of Brisbin, for possession of unstamped cigarettes.
