SMETHPORT — A Bradford man was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court for three separate cases in which he assaulted a woman twice and fashioned a weapon while he was in the McKean County Jail.
Christopher D. Link, 31, Bradford, was sentenced to 12 to 24 years in state prison with 297 days of time served, in three separate cases. In the first case, he was charged with aggravated assault — attempts to cause serious injury or causes injury with extreme indifference, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. In a second case, he was charged with flight to avoid apprehension, and in a third case, he was charged with make repairs/sell/etc. offensive weapon.
According to District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer, between March 16 and 17, Link had a weapon fashioned from a metal rod as well as a weapon that could’ve been used as a tool for escape while incarcerated in the McKean County Jail.
Additionally police records allege that he assaulted a female — twice — in July, using a knife both times, then fled from law enforcement on July 28.
The criminal complaint alleged that on July 25, Link struck a female victim numerous times in the head, face and body, causing serious injury, and she had a laceration on her wrist from a knife. On July 28, he allegedly stabbed her twice in the upper right torso, and she was in critical condition in UPMC Hamot, Erie, at the time the charges were filed.
During the sentencing, Shaffer requested a higher sentence for the aggravated assault, as it caused serious permanent injury to the victim and at one point, Link said he’d “go out suicide by cop.”
President Judge John Pavlock said that he believed it was appropriate to set a significant sentence for punishment that’s deserved by Link’s prior record, the current case and as a deterrent for others.
Also, Kenneth Marsh, 61, of Bradford, was sentenced to ten days to six months of incarceration in the McKean County Jail, with two days time served, along with 12 months consecutive probation, with the first 60 days of restrictive sanctions for charges in two cases.
In one case, he was charged with simple assault, and the second was for DUI- alcohol.
According to Shaffer, on Dec. 18, 2020, a liquor control officer stopped at Marsh’s Bar while doing education/checks in the area. Marsh, who was argumentative and agitated, was rocking back and forth and had his hand resting on a pistol in his pocket. There were numerous patrons inside the establishment at the time of the exchange, too.
Regarding the DUI case, Assistant District Attorney Bridget Murphy said Marsh was operating a motor vehicle on Dec. 19, 2020 while he was under the influence of alcohol.
Alex M. Ita, 34, of Bradford, was sentenced to one to fourteen months of incarceration in McKean County Jail with work release for charges of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.
The charges were filed after an investigation into illegal crack cocaine delivery in Bradford City, Shaffer reported.
Detectives charged the defendant with delivering 7.4 grams and 4.7 grams of crack cocaine, respectively, on two separate dates between May 8-9 in the City, Shaffer said in a press release.
Ita allegedly made the sales to a confidential informant with the McKean County Drug Task Force, which was assisted in the investigation by officers from Bradford City and Bradford Township police departments, Shaffer said.
Nicholas R. Herbstritt, 39, of Port Allegany, was sentenced to four days to six months of incarceration in the McKean County Jail, to be served on weekends, for charges of DUI — alcohol.
Chad Wallace, 43, of Kane, was sentenced to 48 hours to six months of incarceration at the McKean County Jail, to automatically be paroled among the expiration of the minimum sentence for DUI — alcohol.
Kevin Atkinson, 60, of Bradford, was sentenced to 1 ½ years of probation for endangering the welfare of children.
According to the plea agreement, Atkinson plead guilty to grabbing a minor around his arms, causing bruising.
Hannah E. Sheldon, 30, of Duncannon, was sentenced to 1 ½ years of probation on charges of receiving stolen property, intentional possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to Shaffer, on Nov. 11, 2020, Sheldon received a stolen catalytic converter valued at more than $1,000. She also had methamphetamine and two pipes with residue in her possession.
Moses S. Forde, 30, of Woodbridge, Va., was sentenced to six months of probation, which can be completed after 60 days if he follows through with all his requirements.
Shaffer said that on Jan. 25 Forde possessed 102.3 grams of raw marijuana and a smoking device.
Gregory A. Westlake, 57, of Bradford, was sentenced to one year of probation for charges of receiving stolen property and theft by deception.
Jake Andrew Cabisca, 23, of Bradford, pleaded guilty to defiant trespass, disorderly conduct, DUI- controlled substance and driving with a suspended license.
According to the criminal complaints, on Dec. 15 and 27, he showed up at a residence where he wasn’t permitted to be, the second time with a baseball bat, causing disturbances both times. The DUI case is from an alleged incident Dec. 27 when a police officer saw Cabisca driving, and knew his license was suspended. When the vehicle was stopped, Cabisca showed signs of being under the influence. A blood test showed Cabisca had taken amphetamine, methamphetamine and marijuana, the criminal complaint stated.
His sentencing is set for Sept. 9.
James Hillman, 49, of Kane, was accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program for driving under the influence of alcohol.
