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Jamestown Man Among 2 Sentenced To Pa. State Prison

WARREN, Pa. — Two men charged in the wake of Warren County Drug Task Force activity last July are headed to state prison in the wake of sentences handed down Friday.

Sherriald J. Surrena, 32, of Jamestown, and Joshua M. Baumgratz, 30, of Warren, Pa., were sentenced by President Judge Maureen Skerda.

Surrena was charged in the wake of a buy with a confidential informant

Alleged contact between Surrena and the informant resulted in the arrangement of a purchase of cocaine at 2425 Market St. — Sheetz in North Warren

“K-9 Dina was used and odor of controlled substances was detected coming from the vehicle,” the affidavit of probable cause states.

A Facebook post from the Drug Task Force states that about 24 grams of crack cocaine and powder cocaine were seized.

Surrena on Friday apologized to the court, his family and the community and said he’s seeking drug and alcohol and mental health help.

“I kind of believe this is what I did to get life back on track,” he said.

Skerda noted that Surrena was granted bail supervision.

“Your addition was more powerful,” she said, noting that he “squandered” that opportunity.

She sentenced Surrena to 12 to 36 months incarceration with credit for 100 days time served, $2,025 in fines and fees, submission of a DNA sample and treatment while incarcerated as well as an additional three to 12 months on a count of firearm not to be carried without a license.

Baumgratz was one of two men arrested after a search of an Allegheny Avenue residence.

“The search warrant yielded controlled substances and U.S. currency,” Chief Warren County Detective Tom Kibbey said in July.

A number of leads, including neighborhood tips and complaints, and information from and a controlled purchase by a confidential informant, led to the successful search.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, a confidential informant allegedly purchased psilocybin mushrooms from Baumgratz on two occasions in June — both in the City of Warren. His attorney, Rob Kinner, noted that Baumgratz’ prior record is “all drug related.

“This may be a wakeup call for my client,” he said.

Baumgratz told Skerda that he is “trying really hard” but “knew I messed up.”

Skerda highlighted his “very spotty work history” and said there’s no evidence to indicate he knows what he has done.

She sentenced him to 11 to 22 months incarceration, $2,125 in fines and fees as well as submission of a DNA sample on a count of criminal use of of a communications facility as well as 11 to 22 months incarceration, $590 in restitution to the task force, a $100 fee and treatment in state prison.

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