County Court Plea Briefs

The following people entered into plea agreements Monday in Bedford County Court:

Michael Anthony Logsdon, 31, of Bedford, pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony count of flight to avoid apprehension. Misdemeanor driving under suspension and two summary driving charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

The plea calls for a four- to 12-month sentence, with Logsdon to be paroled directly into a drug and alcohol inpatient program that lasts at least 28 days. Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 18.

According to court statements and prior reports, Logsdon drove to a home in Hyndman around 5:30 p.m. Logsdon had an active warrant at the time. Police were unable to locate him at the time, although according to text messages sent by Logsdon, he was hiding outside on the property at the time.

At least three other people were taken into custody while police attempted to find Logsdon.

Police contacted him by phone on Feb. 21, and he turned himself in on Feb. 22.

Sheena Marie Riggs, 29, of Saxton, pleaded guilty in two separate cases, to driving while under the influence of a controlled substance. In the first case, the second offense is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor; in the second case, the offense is a third offense, classified as a third-degree felony.

The agreement calls for a one- to three-year term in state prison, when Riggs is sentenced on July 26 at 9 a.m.

In the first case, Riggs was involved in a traffic accident in Liberty Township on March 1, 2023, damaging a guide rail and steps. A blood test came back positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, clonazepam, and norbuprenorphine.

In the second case, Riggs was stopped on Lincoln Highway on Oct. 16, when police observed signs of impairment. Riggs declined a blood draw.

Ronald Eugene Valentine, 40, of Windber, entered guilty pleas in two cases stemming from the same incident.

In the first case, Valentine pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony count of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, and in the second case, he pleaded guilty to one count of insurance fraud. All other charges were dropped in return for the plea.

Sentencing recommendations include a two-year term of probation for each case, but it will be up to the judge whether the sentence will be served concurrently, or consecutively. The state has asked that Valentine also be ordered to serve 100 hours of community service.

Restitution in the case is listed at $2,148.

Sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. July 26.

According to Deputy Attorney General Jerome Orie, who represented the Commonwealth, Valentine conspired with a co-defendant to file an insurance claim that stated a vehicle was driven into his garage, damaging the structure and an outside a/c unit. The vehicle was not operational at the time.

A subsequent claim was made the the homeowners insurance carrier, which was paid, resulting in the restitution amount.

Rodney Earnest, 36, of Bedford, entered guilty pleas in two cases.

Earnest pleaded guilty to one count of theft, a second-degree misdemeanor, in the first case. In the second case, he pleaded guilty to second-degree misdemeanors of simple assault and resisting arrest.

The sentencing recommendation is for 11- to 23-months in the Bedford County Correctional Facility, to be followed by a two-year term of probation.

On January 16, Earnest was at a turnpike service plaza when he took a cracked cellular phone and cigarettes.

On Jan. 26, Earnest was in Bedford Township when police received a report of a trespasser. He wielded a knife and police had to use force to take him down.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 24 at 10:30 a.m.