The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

July 2, 2009

UPDATE: Woman jailed prior to getting to federal prison

By Joe Pinchot

HERMITAGE — A Hermitage woman was supposed to fly to Texas Monday to begin serving a federal prison sentence. Instead, she was locked up in Mercer County Jail for having allegedly participated in the theft of Ralph Lauren clothing.

In addition to the local charges, a federal judge in Pittsburgh has issued a warrant for Stacie M. Hickman’s arrest that will keep her in jail until she can be released to U.S. marshals to serve her federal sentence.

Ms. Hickman, 39, of 2095 Mary St., pleaded guilty Sept. 19, 2007, to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine.

She drove her fiancé, James R. Sed, 40, formerly of Hermitage, to two deals in April 2006 in Sharon and Brookfield in which he bought crack from Mark A. Grannison, 49, of 290 Orchard St., Sharon.

Ms. Hickman was sentenced April 22 to 1 year plus 1 day in a federal prison; Sed was convicted of four charges and was sentenced to 10 years, 10 months in prison; and Grannison pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Hermitage police charged Ms. Hickman with misdemeanor retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft after a June 23 incident at Macy’s in the Shenango Valley Mall.

According to police, George Crawford Jr., 30, whose last known address was 206 Spearman Ave., Farrell, stole $803 in clothing at 10:58 a.m. from Macy’s and ran to a sport-utility vehicle. The female driver opened the door for him and she sped off, police said.

The SUV was registered to Ms. Hickman, police said.

Ms. Hickman told police she was at Macy’s with Crawford and a woman. They wanted a ride there, and she allowed the woman to drive because she did not feel well, police said.

Ms. Hickman told police she stayed in the back seat of the SUV with the woman until Crawford returned, and the woman drove away fast and reckless, police said. She said she knew Crawford had stolen the clothing because he was being chased by two people, police said.

Macy’s employees told police that only one man and one woman were in the SUV, and they identified Ms. Hickman and Crawford from photographic lineups, police said.

In a letter to District Judge Ronald E. Antos, Farrell, which was dated Tuesday and sent from Mercer County Jail, Ms. Hickman said the charges were “not true.” “The only mistake I made was letting George Crawford use my Saturn Vue to get away,” she said.

District Judge Lorinda L. Hinch, Mercer, arraigned Ms. Hickman and sent her to jail for failing to post bond. Ms. Hickman’s preliminary hearing is set for 2:30 p.m. July 29 before Antos.

Antos issued an arrest warrant for Crawford on charges of retail and theft and conspiracy. Crawford is in Allegheny County Jail on other charges.

Ms. Hickman told police the woman who was with Crawford asked for bond money June 23 because he had been arrested in Pittsburgh for shoplifting, police said.

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