Drug suspect faces more charges
A 21-year-old man facing felony drug charges is in trouble again. State police charged Keith McNett of Waynesburg with criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment after he allegedly paid a known male $500 to harm 19-year-old Bryan Taylor of Clarksville, McNett’s codefendant involved in the drug case.
McNett was also charged Tuesday with intimidating and retaliating against a witness.
In March, police charged McNett, Taylor and Bryan Hutchinson, 18, of Waynesburg with possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia after 13 bricks of heroin estimated to be worth $16,000 were found in their vehicle following a traffic stop along Richhill Street in Waynesburg Borough.
Three ounces of powder cocaine worth an estimated street value of $3,600 was also found in the vehicle, in addition to 4 ounces of marijuana, a digital scale, a hand-held postage scale and $4,500 in cash.
McNett was picked up on the drug charges in April in Morgantown, W.Va., and was extradited to Greene County Jail.
While in prison, police allege McNett conspired with and agreed to pay the known male $500 to harm Taylor because Taylor planned to testify against him in the upcoming drug case.
On Aug. 5, police allege Taylor was coaxed to attend a party Ian Nakonechni’s Holbrook residence, according to a criminal complaint filed by Trooper David Davison of the Waynesburg state police barracks.
Nakonechni had been wanted for hindering apprehension of McNett when McNett was wanted in regards to the drug charges.
In the complaint, Davidson stated Taylor arrived at Nakonechni’s residence at 1:45 a.m. and that Taylor was confronted by the known male who called Taylor a “snitch” and allegedly told Taylor he was offered money by McNett “to take care of him.”
Davidson stated that the known male and Taylor allegedly began to argue and push each other, and that Taylor was physically assaulted by three identified males, including the male who McNett offered to pay $500.
Taylor sustained a fractured orbital bone in his right eye and several bruises and abrasions as a result of the attack, Davidson stated, noting that Taylor was able to leave Nakonechni’s residence and drive himself home.
McNett was arraigned on the criminal conspiracy and assault charges before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson and placed in Greene County Prison on a $125,000 straight cash bond.
His preliminary hearing has been set for 10 a.m., Sept. 21, in Watson’s office.