Staff writer
Four people picked up last week in a special patrol by state police were scheduled for preliminary hearings Thursday.
Two waived their cases to court, one had his case continued and a fourth had his case held for further court action in absentia when he was a no-show.
Concerned with an increasing number of incidents involving guns in the Washington area, state police were joined in the special patrols last week by local police, liquor control enforcement and adult probation agents. Seized were three handguns along with suspected crack, heroin and marijuana.
Douglas Yondale Cochran, 30, of 22 E. Prospect St., Washington, failed to show for his scheduled hearing Thursday morning before Senior District Judge Marjorie Teagarden. He was arrested Aug. 27 behind the wheel of a car that had been reported stolen by Budget Rental Car to South Strabane Township Police.
He was released from Washington County Jail hours after his arrest after posting $10,000 bond.
"Everyone is here but the defendant," Teagarden said in opening the hearing. "He should've been here. Shame on him."
State police Cpl. Christopher Neal, who filed the charges, told Teagarden that Cochran had suspected cocaine and marijuana packaged for delivery. He said the suspect, who is on federal parole after serving time on drug and escape charges, is known to Neal.
Teagarden ordered him held on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver crack, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property. Common pleas court officials will be notified of his failure to appear. His bond is likely to be revoked and a warrant issued for his arrest.
Andre Vermar Walker, 23, and Crystal Rae Valperga, 22, were scheduled for hearings before District Judge David Mark after they were arrested inside Billy's Bar on Jefferson Avenue in Canton Township last week with guns. Walker had a .44-caliber Magnum revolver while Valperga had a .32-caliber pistol.
The two are suspects in an exchange of gunfire Aug. 12 at Terry's Lounge, 108 W. Wylie Ave., Canton Township. Cochran was injured in the shooting along with Marcus Lee Walker of Carnegie.
Walker asked for a continuance because his defense attorney was not able to come to Thursday's proceeding. His hearing has been rescheduled for Sept. 19.
Valperga, who is charged with intent to deliver cocaine, conspiracy to deliver cocaine, carrying a firearm without a license, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, waived her case to court.
Valperga also was arraigned before Mark Thursday on charges of hindering apprehension and corruption of minors. She is accused of lending her vehicle to a 17-year-old girl who was behind the wheel in an Oct. 6 fatal crash that killed 14-year-old Versaan Crawford on Interstate 70, Canton Township.
Valperga tearfully begged Mark to reduce her bond so she could get out of Washington County Jail. He reduced her $50,000 bond on the drug charge to 10 percent acceptable and set $10,000 on the new charges.
Her mother told Mark that her daughter has serious medical needs. Mark advised her to show proof of her daughter's condition to the jail and the courts may revisit the bond issue.
Also appearing before Teagarden was Steven Sadler, 19, of 235 W. Chestnut St., Washington. Sadler, who was charged with carrying a firearm without a license and possession of controlled substance, was caught Aug. 27 after running from police who had a received a tip he was armed. Police confiscated a .38-caliber handgun.