PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2021

McKean County District Attorney Stephanie L. Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, on October 21, 2021, law enforcement from McKean, Potter and Cattaraugus Counties executed a search warrant at a residence located at 34 Route 44, Shinglehouse, PA, belonging to Steffan SISSON – seizing drugs, guns, and cash. 

This investigation was initiated by members of the community reporting to law enforcement suspected drug activity at the residence. 

On October 21, 2021, SISSON sold 1 gram of methamphetamine to an informant working with officers and while under surveillance by Task Force Detectives.

A search warrant was obtained by the McKean County Detective and the officers entered SISSON’S residence in Shinglehouse and encountered 11 adults, including SISSON, as well as one infant.  Officers seized 39.1 grams of methamphetamine; approximately 217 stamp bags of fentanyl - packaged for sale; 5 firearms; more than $5,000 cash; electronic devices; and numerous items of paraphernalia including pipes to smoke methamphetamine and ingest other drugs.  Security cameras and a “bug-detecting” device were also found in the residence used for detecting individuals who could be wearing a recording device. 

While processing the scene, officers encountered Christopher FEIDLER of Bradford and Dominique WATERMAN of Coudersport, both wanted by authorities and for whom active warrants existed.  FEIDLER and WATERMAN were both transported to the McKean County Jail and committed on their warrants.

SISSON was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Delivery Methamphetamine; and Possession with Intent to Delivery Fentanyl – Felonies; 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance; Possession of Paraphernalia; Criminal Use of a Communication Facility; and 5 Counts of Possession of Firearms by a Person Prohibited.  Additional charges are expected for SISSON and others.

Agencies involved in the investigation and arrest included the McKean County District Attorney; McKean County Detectives; McKean County Drug Task Force (Bradford City, Smethport Borough, and Otto-Eldred Regional Police Departments); Potter County Detective; Potter County East Drug Task Force (Coudersport, Galeton, and Shinglehouse); Olean City Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit; Southern Tier Drug Task Force (Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office and Salamanca Police Department); and NY State Police Troop A VGNET Team.  The McKean County Detective K-9 unit participated in the raid with drug-detecting and trailing dogs on-scene.  Shinglehouse Ambulance Service was placed on stand-by during the execution of the search warrant.  McKean County Department of Emergency Services provided equipment to the officers.

McKean County Chief Detective Ryan D. Yingling is the lead investigator in the case.

DA Shaffer reports:

The raid/arrest was a culmination of over a yearlong investigation involving the McKean County Detectives; Potter County East Drug Task Force; Potter County Detective; Olean City Police Street Crimes’ Unit; the Southern Tier Drug Task Force; and New York State Police Troop A VGNET Team.

The opioid crisis continues to be a focus of law enforcement and overdose deaths continue to occur in our area with investigations ongoing in more than one local department.  Fentanyl is the primary drug causing deaths locally.  Anyone coming into contact with Fentanyl is urged to contact law enforcement as even unintentional ingestion can be fatal.  Fentanyl is often mixed with other controlled substances such as Heroin and Methamphetamine, and even marijuana, causing a dangerous impact on the user and law enforcement who comes into contact with it.  Even a small amount of Fentanyl can be fatal.  Often, the user does not know the drug they are ingesting contains Fentanyl. 

The efforts of community members reporting suspected drug activity is a critical tool for law enforcement. 

Drug crimes are not limited to a certain geographical area and the joint efforts of the agencies mentioned above is a priority of local law enforcement.  The McKean County District Attorney’s Office expresses its gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the officers involved in McKean, Potter and Cattaraugus Counties and Potter County District Attorney Andy Watson as these investigations are becoming more complex, wide-spread, and lengthy.

Parents and grandparents are encouraged to look at the types of packaging material drugs are sold in as well as paraphernalia for ingesting drugs as seen in the attached photographs.

SISSON was arraigned before on-call District Magistrate Richard Luther who set bail at $250,000.  SISSON remains incarcerated at the McKean County Jail.   

Illegal drug activity remains a primary focus of law enforcement across the county.  If you suspect illegal drug activity, please contact the McKean County Drug Task Force at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or MCDTFtip@gmail.com.