WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A 30-year-old Freedom, Pennsylvania resident entered a plea of guilt on Friday in United States District Court before Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. for his role the Kelly Jo Elliott murder case.
United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that John Deutsch entered a plea of guilty to one count of an information charging him with accessory after the fact. According to the release, specifically Deutsch knowing that Eugene Talik Jr. had committed interstate domestic violence and prevented Talik’s apprehension, trial and punishment from May 25, 2006 to June of 2006.
Deutsch is currently free on bond pending sentencing. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and a fine of $125,000.
The case of Kelly Jo Elliott came to light on Nov. 14 when her remains were found in Huston Township. According to court documents, Elliott became romantically involved with Talik. He was arrested on Nov. 14 for killing Elliott. Talik and an accomplice then burned Elliott’s body in Clearfield County.
If convicted, Talik faces a maximum of five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on Count One, a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 on Count Two; and a maximum of life imprisonment or death and a fine of $250,000 on Count Three.
The case was investigated by the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
