ELK COUNTY — Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced the arrest of seven individuals charged with conspiring to distribute bath salts, a highly addictive synthetic drug, in Elk County and the surrounding areas.
In addition to the arrests, investigators reported seizing more than 500 grams of bath salts with a street value of roughly $100,000. Thirty-one firearms, nearly $18,000 and other drug-related materials also were seized during the investigation.
The investigation was headed by the Office of Attorney General’s North Central Municipal Drug Task Force and the office of Elk County District Attorney Shawn T. McMahon. The task force is comprised of agents from the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and investigators from various local police departments.
Investigators developed information that a package containing suspected bath salts was set to be delivered from China to the Clarion Post Office in Clarion County. The package was intercepted by investigators, which they said led to the discovery of approximately 500 grams of bath salts.
On June 16, investigators oversaw two controlled deliveries at the post office in which they twice waited for suspects to attempt to pick up the package containing the bath salts. These controlled deliveries led to the arrest of Richard Servidea, Kerry Krempel, Ryan Thomas, Kara Ingram and Donielle Beichner. Jason McCandless and Abram Crosby also were arrested as part of the investigation.
The investigation initially resulted in the seizure of the 500 grams of bath salts, an additional 20 grams of the same drug and roughly 20 pills from Servidea, $1,410, various drug paraphernalia and the cell phones of all the suspects.
A search warrant later was executed at Servidea’s home, leading investigators to seize additional bath salts, 30 firearms, $16,370, suspected marijuana, drug packaging materials, scales and various drug paraphernalia.
Another warrant served at McCandless’ residence led to the seizure of bath salts and a firearm. McCandless was the individual who initially ordered the bath salts through the mail, investigators allege.
The defendants, who are listed below, will be prosecuted by McMahon’s office. They are all being held in the Elk County Prison and are awaiting their preliminary hearings.
–Kerry Ann Krempel, 40, 407 Cobb St., Johnsonburg, Elk County, is charged with one count each of possession of drugs with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.
–Abram Michael Crosby, 29, 21559 Route 68, Clarion, Clarion County, is charged with one count each of possession of drugs with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.
–Richard Allen Servidea, 51, 3606 Wilcox Road, Wilcox, Elk County, is charged with one count each of possession of drugs with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.
–Ryan Joseph Thomas, 26, 303 Greeves St., Kane, McKean County, is charged with one count each of possession of drugs with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.
–Donielle Nicole Beichner, 24, 9984 Route 66, Clarion, Clarion County, is charged with one count each of possession of drugs with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.
–Kara Jean Ingram, 23, 156 Stewart Lane, Strattanville, Clarion County, is charged with one count each of possession of drugs with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.
–Jason Paul McCandless, 40, 209 Dagus Mines Road, Dagus Mines, Elk County, is charged with one count each of possession of drugs with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.