FROM: HOLLEY
CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL
18, 2018
SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE – RICHARD DANA
On April 17,
2018, RICHARD DANA, age 55, of 965 Upper Mountain Road, Pine Bush, New York, pled
guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree before Judge Michael Voss
in the Town of Shawangunk Justice Court. Dana was charged by the New York State
Police on September 8, 2017 in connection with his rendering criminal
assistance to two fugitives wanted on attempted murder charges out of
Tennessee.
On June 20,
2017, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee issued an alert in
connection with fugitives Jarret Cole Heitman and Makayla Danielle Stillwell,
who were wanted for attempted second degree murder, aggravated kidnapping,
aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and aggravated robbery. At the time, the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation indicated the man and woman were armed with an assault rifle and
shotgun, and “should be considered armed and dangerous.”
The New
York State Police were alerted to sightings of the fugitives in Pine Bush and
Bloomingburg, and began an intensive, multi-county manhunt. Over the course of
several days, the State Police called to bear multiple resources including K-9
units, aviation, uniform and BCI members.
Other area law enforcement agencies participated in the search. Multiple public service announcements were
dispatched via the NYSWatchCenter alert system.
On June 23,
2017, Richard Dana found Heitmann and Stilwell hiding in a shed on his property
on Upper Mountain Road. Despite knowing that these fugitives were the subject
of a multi-state manhunt, Dana provided them with food, shelter, pillows and a
blanket. Furthermore, Dana allowed them
to shower in his home and to stay the night.
In the early morning hours of June 24, 2017, Dana drove the fugitives
across state lines to a Walmart store in Matamoras, Pennsylvania. At that time, he provided them with a
daypack, clothing, emergency pouches, blankets and a knife.
Aside from
the risk posed to the public, the State Police estimate that the man-hunt for
these fugitives cost in excess of $100,000.00 in taxpayer money. Sentencing in
the Town of Shawangunk is scheduled for June 19, 2018.
