UPDATED JUNE 2, 2022:  James Nitsos has been sentenced to a period of incarceration of 54 months to 108 months by McKean County Judge.  Nitsos had been convicted by a jury on May 10 for Flight to Avoid Apprehension; Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances (Methamphetamine and Cocaine) and Counterfeit Controlled Substances (Etizolam) and Conspiracy.  Trooper Richard Obermeyer (previously employed as a City of Bradford Police Officer) and City of Bradford Police Officer Shaun McDonald investigated the case which included the arrest of the defendant in December, 2020.  A few months later, McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer, Elk County District Attorney Thomas Coppolo and Cameron County District Attorney Paul Malizia issued a joint press release on April 13, 2021 and sent letters urging lawmakers to list the drug Etizolam as a Schedule I controlled substance in Pennsylvania.  

The three District Attorneys notified lawmakers that Etizolam had been seen in this part of Pennsylvania in the prior months, first discovered by police in our area in St Mary’s in October of 2020.  The DA's cited the potency of the drug and its ties to fatalities in the United States.  

In McKean County, Etizolam was found in pills marked to look like Xanax.  In Cameron County, the drug was found in fake candy that had been ingested by school children.  The DA's expressed concern for the safety of area citizens, including young children and also their concern that their prosecutorial ability is impacted by the fact that Etizolam has evaded categorization as a controlled substance under the statute in Pennsylvania - eroding the prosecutors' ability to seek a punishment that fits the crime of giving fake pills or fake candy to citizens.  

The Three District Attorneys, working closely with Attorney General Special Agent Fred Myers, were monitoring the presence of Etizolam in this part of Pennsylvania.

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Stephanie L. Vettenburg-Shaffer, McKean County District Attorney, reports that, following a jury trial on May 10, 2022, James Nitsos was convicted of several drug crimes and running from law enforcement.

Nitsos was wanted by State Parole when he was observed within the City of Bradford by a resident on December 18, 2020, who notified police of his whereabouts.  

Former City of Bradford Police Officer (and current State Trooper) Richard Obermeyer responded and attempted to make contact with Nitsos, but Nitsos ignored the Officer and took off on foot with the Officer giving chase.  The Officer radioed other Officers who joined in the effort to take Nitsos into custody.  They apprehended him after a short chase.  

When the defendant was apprehended, he was found to have cocaine, methamphetamine, numerous pills, and a digital scale.  

Nitsos was charged and convicted of the following:  Flight to Avoid Apprehension (Felony 3); 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine and cocaine); 1 count of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Counterfeit  Controlled Substance (Etizolam with markings to look like Xanax) (Felony); Conspiracy Possession with Intent to Deliver (Felony); Possession of a Controlled Substance (misdemeanor); and Possession of Paraphernalia (misdemeanor).  

The case was investigation by Trooper Obermeyer and City Officer Shaun McDonald and was prosecuted by District Attorney Stephanie L. Vettenburg-Shaffer.  A date has not been set for sentencing. Nitsos is incarcerated at the McKean County Jail.