Local News
Jail time ordered in house stripping; mortgage broker labeled ‘criminal’
SHARPSVILLE, JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — In spite of a courtroom full of family and friends, a string of character witnesses and a brief multimedia presentation, Mercer County Judge Thomas R. Dobson wasn’t buying Scott A. McCuskey’s line that he is not a common criminal.
McCuskey, 40, of 80 Cusick Lane, Sharpsville, was sentenced Tuesday for stripping his $1.2 million Jefferson Township home down to its bones before it went up for sheriff’s sale in 2006.
Police said McCuskey, a former mortgage broker, admitted to taking virtually everything that wasn’t nailed down, and a few things that were, including: lights, window cranks, baseboards, ceiling and window trim, cabinets, countertops, vent covers, closet shelving, doors, tub and shower fixtures, toilets, sinks, vanities, shower doors, carpeting, locks and handles for outside doors, a Jacuzzi, benches, garage doors, side doors, garage windows and outside wall fixtures.
“This was stripping a house. This was theft. And you are a common criminal,” Dobson told McCuskey.
Dobson gave McCuskey 3 to 15 months in county jail and ordered him to pay more than $174,000 in restitution to Sovereign Bank, Reading, Pa., and insurers. McCuskey was found guilty of defrauding creditors and fraud in insolvency after a trial in April.
“Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Unbelievable,” McCuskey said, over and over, after being sentenced. Outside the courtroom, he was clearly angry and called the court a “dog and ------ pony show.”
He was given a one week delay before having to serve his sentence to get his affairs in order since he runs several small businesses.
McCuskey argued that he did not know it was against the law to strip his home. He said he thought the home – which was collateral in a loan he defaulted on in October 2004 – was his until the sheriff’s sale.
McCuskey told Dobson that he’d committed a crime out of ignorance. He showed a video report by the television show “Inside Edition” that suggested many people commit similar crimes during foreclosure.
McCuskey argued that homeowners and sometimes even banks don’t realize it’s illegal to destroy or remove property subject to a mortgage levy.
“I’m a small fish in an ocean of problems,” McCuskey said, and added that throwing the book at him amounted to frying just one fish.
Dobson told McCuskey that because he worked as a mortgage broker, his claim that he did not know that what he was doing was illegal must fall on deaf ears.
Dobson said McCuskey tried to talk his way out of the crimes during his trial.
“You can’t,” Dobson told him, because of the scope of the crime. “It’s over a six-figure theft.”
McCuskey’s home was first appraised at about $1.2 million. After stripping it down, there was a reappraisal that put the home’s value at $180,000.
A string of character witnesses, including McCuskey’s pastor, father, wife and longtime friend spoke on his behalf.
They pointed out he was an excellent father who didn’t miss his children’s ball games in spite of long hours, that he had served in the Army as an attack helicopter crew chief, and that he has employed more than 100 people through four businesses.
Dobson told McCuskey that his crimes don’t erase the good that he’s done. He said even though the six figures of loss on his property would normally put his sentencing in the aggravated range, Dobson felt a county sentence was more appropriate than state prison time.
McCuskey was also ordered to do 50 hours of community service informing mortgage brokers on how to educate their clients.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
Local political junkies, mark your calendars.
Third District Congressional rivals Kathy Dahlkemper and Mike Kelly will face off at a League of Woman Voters of Mercer County forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Sharon City Building.
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Are you going to Stoneboro Fair?
“I want some fries, straight off the bat,” a teen said as she strolled amid a seemingly endless stream of people running from the parking lot to the midway Saturday at the Stoneboro Fairgrounds.
The aroma of scrumptious fair food wafted through the fairgrounds on a cool afternoon that felt more like autumn than the waning days of summer.
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Court backs warrantless search that turned up gun
Superior Court issued a ruling recently that the Mercer County District Attorney believes will enhance the safety of policemen and women.
The court ruled Aug. 26 in a Mercer County Juvenile Court case that stemmed from an arrest made by Southwest Mercer County Regional police. -
Hood surfer back home, recovering
Natalie Huff, the 17-year-old girl critically hurt in a hood-surfing accident, made it home Friday for the first time since she was run over by a friend’s car last month.
David Huff, Natalie’s father, said she was in excellent spirits.
“She just wants to come home,” he said. “She wants out of the hospital. She’s doing really well.”
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Kelly: Jobs are the key to restoring economy
When businesses are healthy, they hire people, and everyone wins, according to Congressional candidate Mike Kelly
The Republican challenger announced his “Pathways to Prosperity” job plan Friday in time for Labor Day weekend at JFS Wealth Advisors in Hermitage. He also made stops in Butler, Crawford, and Erie counties.
Kelly, who faces U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie, D-3rd District in November, said he’s been up and down the county and hears about two concerns: jobs and the economy.
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Couple restoring a local landmark
The gardens were renowned and the house was a resting stop for future presidents.
Now, Dan Briceland and his wife Kristin are restoring the structure at 379 state Route 7 in Brookfield to its original glory.
Built in 1816 by Navy Capt. James Christy, the dilapidated house went up for sale this spring. The Bricelands, who have always wanted to restore an historic house, put in a bid and won.
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Cleanup planned for 2nd city neighborhood
The Irvine Avenue cleanup in Sharon was so successful that similar efforts are being planned for another part of the city.
The Sharon Beautification Commission is organizing a cleanup for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 for Meek Street and several surroundings streets, Sharon City Manager Tom Lavorini told council Thursday.
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Lock up vehicles, police urge
Residents should be alert for suspicious activity and keep their cars and homes locked in the wake of a recent rash of thefts from cars — some of which were left unlocked, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Chief Riley Smoot said.
The most recent thefts were reported Wednesday in the Dogwood Lane, Oak Hill Drive and Kiwanis Road area of West Middlesex.
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Blue Streak thrills again
“It was great. What else can I say?” Dave Hahner said Thursday, just moments after taking his second ride on the Blue Streak.
That’s right. For the first time since 2006, Conneaut Lake Park’s historic roller coaster is back up and running. Once again ready, as Jack Moyers, chairman of the board of trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, put it, “to bring thrills and chills to children of all ages.”
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3 Ohio men in county jail accused of Walmart theft ring
Three Ohio men are in Mercer County Jail for allegedly running a theft ring that stole video games and systems from Walmart stores and then sold them for cash.
Thomas “Tommy” Hamilton, 42, of Ashtabula; Alex Plitt, 34, of Jefferson; and Christopher Patton, 25, address unknown, were caught Aug. 25 after hitting up Walmart stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania for at least several months, Hempfield Township patrolman Daniel McCloskey said Wednesday.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
