SMETHPORT — An ongoing drug trafficking investigation by the McKean County Drug Task Force netted three more arrests Monday, with still more arrests expected.

According to District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer, detectives arrested Kortney Bundy of Bradford after she allegedly arranged a methamphetamine sale and then met with an informant working under task force surveillance.

Kortney Bundy

Bundy is charged with delivery of meth, a felony; possession, a misdemeanor; and criminal use of a communication facility, a third-degree felony.

Tonya Riley 

Additionally, Tonya Riley of Salamanca, N.Y., was arrested after allegedly setting up the sale of crack cocaine with a cooperating informant while task force detectives had her under surveillance. She is charged with delivery of crack cocaine, possession and criminal use of a communication facility.

Donald Riley

Donald Riley of Bradford was also arrested and charged with criminal use of a communication facility and theft, a second-degree misdemeanor. Shaffer added that Donald Riley “is charged with setting up a drug sale with a cooperating informant and meeting the informant” while under task force surveillance, and that additional charges are pending.

All three were arraigned by District Judge Bill Todd, who set bail at $10,000 in each case.

Shaffer said, “The work of the McKean County Drug Task Force is often out of the spotlight but I wanted to take the opportunity to express gratitude for their continuous efforts through lengthy investigations and countless tips. The amount of time behind each investigation is tremendous and often unseen by the public.”

Monday’s arrests were in addition to four others recently made, as reported in Tuesday’s Bradford Era. Those included Katlyn Buterbaugh, 24, of 88 School St., just a few doors down from School Street Elementary School, at 76 School St.

“When the detectives identified drug activity near a local school, they prioritized those investigations,” Shaffer said. “Through countless months of police work, they were able to build cases, which can often be a lengthy process that requires the building of a puzzle to establish probable cause or the bases for search warrants or criminal charges.

“It may be noted that many of the recent arrests were related to alleged crimes committed in Bradford and some with ties to a residence in a school zone in Bradford,” Shaffer continued. “I want to acknowledge the collaboration of the City of Bradford for their dedication to drug work.  “The city routinely assigns their officers who work on the McKean County Drug Task Force to dedicate their regular police shifts to the McKean County Drug Task Force to focus on drug crimes that impact the city. This ongoing partnership has benefited the city as well as surrounding areas because drug crimes are not confined to one location but have a rippling effect throughout. Thank you to Mayor (Tom) Riel, City Administrator Eric Taylor, Chief Michael Ward and City Council.”

If you suspect illegal drug activity, contact Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org.