COALPORT – Three Coalport area men have been charged for their alleged involvement in the unlawful shooting of two dogs, announced District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. on Wednesday.
William Cochran, 33, of Coalport and James Potts, 18, and Joseph Brown, 23, both of Fallentimber, were charged Monday by Trooper Matthew Peacock of the Clearfield-based state police.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at approximately 1:13 a.m. Sept. 5 at an Oak Ridge Road residence in Jordan Township, according to the affidavits of probable cause.
Upon arrival, the men whose faces were covered by bandanas confronted a female on her porch. Potts allegedly aimed a shotgun at her and demanded she “get on the ground.”
Because the female became afraid, she released two dogs from inside the home for her protection. Potts allegedly shot and killed both dogs.
On Oct. 2, state troopers interviewed an eyewitness who stated the men warned them to keep their mouth shut, or they (the men) would harm their family.
Potts has been charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, intimidation of witness and cruelty to animals as well as multiple counts of conspiracy.
Cochran and Brown have been charged with felony conspiracy/aggravated cruelty to animals (two counts), as well as misdemeanor conspiracy/terroristic threats, conspiracy/simple assault, conspiracy/recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy/cruelty to animals and intimidation of witness.
Shaw said charges were filed Monday and Peacock obtained arrest warrants for all three defendants. He said Cochran and Brown were arrested and incarcerated in the Clearfield County Jail.
However, Potts remains at large, he said, and state police have an active search under way. Anyone with information on Potts’ location is asked to contact authorities or state police at 814-857-3800.
