SMETHPORT — A Bradford woman accused of intimidating a witness during an investigation into a drug-related death was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court.
Robin L. Perez, 47, pleaded guilty June 15 to a charge of intimidating a witness, a second-degree misdemeanor. Her charge relates to the investigation into the death of 25-year-old Derek Edward Michael Clay of Driftwood on Oct. 14 — though she is not directly accused in his death.
On Thursday, President Judge John Pavlock sentenced her to 100 to 200 days of incarceration and one year of probation. She has 100 days of credit for time served, having been incarcerated from March 8 to the day she pleaded guilty. She was released on house arrest between June 15 and Thursday.
Perez was also ordered to write an apology letter to the victim, and she is not to have any contact with the victim or the victim’s family.
On June 15, District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer explained that while Bradford City Police were interviewing people regarding a drug-related death, Robin Perez indicated to a 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 had related.
Before Perez was sentenced on Thursday, Shaffer told Pavlock, “The underlying crime she pled guilty to — it was very serious.” However, she added, “Certainly, she did take responsibility for that. We appreciate that, and we appreciate her sincerity in that.”
For her part, Perez noted that after she was released from incarceration, “I have abided by all the rules of house arrest.”
She asked if she could be granted permission to attend an upcoming anniversary party for a relative that will be held in a restaurant that serves alcohol, despite no alcohol being a condition of her sentence. She said she would be willing to submit to a urine screening after the party.
Pavlock explained that it would be up to the probation department to decide.
After Perez was sentenced and learned she was going to be released, she asked, “So I’m not going back to jail?”
Pavlock concurred.
“Thank you so much, your honor,” she said through tears.
Meanwhile, Robin Perez’s husband, Robert Perez, 56, and Amber McKinney, 36, are accused of delivering the fentanyl patch that caused Clay’s death.
Roberto Perez and McKinney each face numerous charges including drug delivery resulting in death for the investigation. Both are incarcerated in lieu of $500,000 bail.
McKinney is scheduled to appear for a last day to plea conference on Aug. 3, and Robert Perez has a last day to plea conference scheduled for Sept. 14.
