SMETHPORT — A Bradford woman pleaded guilty Thursday to allegations she tried to intimidate a witness during an investigation into a drug-related death.
Robin L. Perez, 47, appeared in the Court of Commons Pleas before President Judge John Pavlock a full two weeks prior to her already-scheduled June 29 last day to plea conference. She entered a guilty plea to one charge of intimidating a witness/victim, a second-degree misdemeanor.
The charge was the only one in the case against her.
Meanwhile, Perez’s husband, Roberto H. Perez, 56, and another Bradford resident, Amber M. McKinney, 35, face charges including drug delivery resulting in death, a first-degree felony, for the investigation from which Robin Perez’s charge stems.
Roberto Perez and McKinney are accused of delivering a fentanyl patch that caused the death of 25-year-old Derek Edward Michael Clay of Driftwood on Oct. 14.
On Thursday, District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer said that Bradford City Police were interviewing people regarding a drug-related death, and Robin Perez indicated to woman who was interviewed that she was aware she gave statements against Perez’s interest.
Perez told the woman, “Someone better go fix this before someone gets their ass beat. I don’t care who it is,” Shaffer related.
Pavlock asked Perez if she agreed that is what happened.
Perez hesitated, appearing to be thinking, then said, “Yes, sir.”
Pavlock questioned her again if it was correct, and Perez said she “just really wants to go home to my son.”
Pavlock told her, “I don’t want you to agree to incorrect facts.”
He did accept Perez’s plea.
When discussing sentencing, Perez’s attorney, Raymond Bulson, noted that she had been incarcerated almost four months. However, Shaffer did not want Perez to be sentenced on Thursday, as the victim has a legal right to provide input.
Neither side was opposed to Perez being released until her sentencing date on July 20.
“My client is willing to accept any conditions (for release),” said Bulson.
Robin Perez was released on her own recognizance, but she will be under house arrest until she is sentenced. During that time, she is not to have any contact with the victim, the victim’s immediate family or any witnesses except police officers for legitimate purposes. She is not to have any drugs or alcohol and may be asked to submit to urine screenings.
Meanwhile, Roberto Perez, who appeared in McKean County Central Court on Thursday, has requested a preliminary hearing be held, and it is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday. McKinney waived a preliminary hearing on June 1. Both are incarcerated in lieu of $500,000 bail.
A last day to plea hearing for McKinney is scheduled for Aug. 3.
According to court records, McKinney got transdermal fentanyl patches from Roberto Perez on four occasions, either leaving him money or performing sexual favors in exchange for the patches. McKinney allegedly ingested a patch with Clay at 11:40 p.m. Oct. 13, and Clay lay down on the couch after ingesting it. She discovered his body hours later in the same position, court records indicate.
