NJ man still held in prison
A New Jersey man continues to be held in Butler County Prison on a warrant out of that state, but was granted nominal bail on county allegations of using a Butler woman's reportedly stolen credit and debit cards, after a bail reduction was granted in county court on Monday.
Bryan J. Brown, 35, of Bridgeton, continues to be held on a parole violation warrant out of New Jersey, but Judge Timothy McCune reduced his $10,000 bail on county charges of felony access device fraud, conspiracy and flight to avoid apprehension, during the hearing Monday.
Brown's attorney, Public Defender Charles Nedz, said his client has been held for more than 180 days, and pursuant to Pennsylvania Criminal Procedure Rule 600, which states “except in cases in which the defendant is not entitled to release on bail as provided by law, no defendant shall be held in pretrial incarceration in excess of 180 days from the date on which the complaint is filed,” he is entitled to be released.
However, Assistant District Attorney Richard Bosco pointed out that Brown continues to be held on the New Jersey warrant. He also informed the court that he has extended a plea agreement to the defense that allows Brown to be released on time served as of a status conference hearing, which was then scheduled for today.
Brown was charged by Butler police alongside Deanne T. Giffins-Matlack, 32, of Butler, after authorities say the pair made $1,005 in unauthorized transactions using a Butler woman's cards.
Police said they began their investigation on May 4 after the alleged victim reviewed her financial statements and found that someone had used her cards without her permission.
Investigators checked surveillance video at Target in Butler Township, according to court documents, and identified Brown and Giffins-Matlack as making transactions with the woman's cards.
On May 14, police were called to the Dollar General store on North Main Street to respond to a report of both suspects being in the area. Officers found them in the parking lot of the nearby Rite Aid store. Brown, who was wanted on a warrant out of New Jersey, unsuccessfully tried hiding in a building close by, documents said.
Both were arraigned on felony access device fraud and conspiracy counts. Brown was also charged with the flight count, and Giffins-Matlack was also charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following arraignment, Brown was placed in the Butler County Prison on $10,000 bail and Giffins-Matlack was released on her own recognizance.
Brown previously waived extradition to be returned to New Jersey to face the parole violation warrant, however that move was stayed pending the disposition of charges here.
Giffins-Matlack is currently awaiting further court proceedings.
