BUTLER CO., Pa. (EYT) — Two local women are facing drug charges following traffic stops in Butler and Lawrence Counties.
Court documents indicate the Kittanning-based State Police filed criminal charges against 29-year-old Erika Yvonne Hetzler, of Emlenton, and 52-year-old Kelly Jean Elgeti, of Lickingville.
According to a criminal complaint, around 11:38 a.m. on August 26, 2018, Trooper Glasgow, of the Kittanning-based State Police, initiated a traffic stop on a gold Chevrolet Impala for an expired registration on State Route 28 northbound at Exit 17 in Buffalo Township, Butler County.
Upon his approach to the vehicle, Trooper Glasgow noted that the driver, Kelly Jean Elgeti, and the front seat passenger, Erika Hetzler, were displaying indicators of impairment. He requested that they both exit the vehicle and, according to the complaint, Elgeti consented to a search of the vehicle.
According to the complaint, Elgeti related to Trooper Glasgow that Hetzler had placed heroin in her purse prior to getting pulled over and admitted that she had snorted a bag prior to driving.
Twenty-four bags of suspected heroin were seized from Elgeti’s purse, along with 80 bags of suspected heroin from Hetzler’s purse.
The heroin was entered into evidence and submitted to the Greensburg Crime Lab for analysis.
Based on the investigation, the following charges were filed against Kelly Elgeti on October 22, with Butler County District Magistrate Judge Haggerty:
- Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
- Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
- DUI: Controlled Substance — Schedule 2 or 3 — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
- DUI: Controlled Substance — Metabolite — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
- DUI: Controlled Substance — Impaired Ability — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
- Operate Vehicle Without Valid Inspection, Summary
She faces a preliminary hearing at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, December 19, in front of Judge Haggerty.
A certified summons was issued on November 7.
Erika Hetzler later completed a written statement indicating that she had bought the heroin from her dealer, and she was supposed to deliver one brick to a known man in return for 1/2 brick for herself, the complaint states.
She was arraigned at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7, in Judge Haggerty’s office on the following charges:
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
- Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
- Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
She was released on $25,000.00 unsecured bail.
She faces a preliminary hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 19, with Judge Haggerty presiding.
Traffic stop in Lawrence County, involving Erika Hetzler
In a second case, court documents indicate that the Mercer-based State Police filed the following criminal charges against Erika Yvonne Hetzler on Thursday, November 22:
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
- Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
- Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
According to a criminal complaint, around 3:06 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21, Trooper Seckinger, of the Mercer-based State Police, initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that failed to utilize its turn signal when merging into the right lane on Interstate 79 near the 110 mile marker in Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County.
Trooper Seckinger made contact with the occupants of the vehicle and found multiple stamp bags on the passenger front door, where Erika Yvonne Hetzler was seated, according to the complaint.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was then conducted.
The complaint notes that 96 individual stamp bags containing suspected heroin were located under the center front seat.
Both the driver of the vehicle and Hetzler claim the heroin was the other person’s, according to the complaint.
Hetzler was arraigned at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 22, in Magisterial District Judge Jennifer L. Nicholson’s office.
Unable to post $100,000.00 monetary bail, she was lodged in the Lawrence County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 6, with Magisterial District Judge Scott A. McGrath presiding.
