A 30-year-old man with criminal charges both in Butler County and federally had his preliminary hearing continued for the sixth time since it was initially scheduled in June and may face additional charges, according to court records.

Kenyetta Rayvonne Jones had his preliminary hearing continued for the sixth time Monday, Aug. 31, by District Judge William Fullerton after Butler police Officer Richard Pechin’s witness did not show up to the hearing.

Pechin said he believes the absence was due to intimidation. The witness did not show up to two previously scheduled hearings either, Pechin said.

Jones’ first preliminary hearing in the case was scheduled June 29. Jones was charged by Butler police June 24 with felony manufacture and possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and one misdemeanor count each of drug paraphernalia possession and marijuana possession.

Before it was continued, the Butler County District Attorney’s Office had sought a writ from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Jones to appear at the hearing while in federal custody. Jones attended the hearing Monday.

Public defender Terri Schultz argued his charges should be dismissed because nothing in the affidavit indicates another person was involved in the charges and her office had not been told since the case began there was additional evidence that required outside testimony.

The case has been continued six times and Schultz argued at least four of them were on the district attorney’s side. It’s common practice in the county’s district courts for the prosecution and defense to each be granted one continuance if needed.

The preliminary hearing was rescheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 14. The hearing will be for both the charges related to the hearing Monday and a different case.

In the other case, Jones was charged in Butler Aug. 19 by Kittanning-based state police with misdemeanor counts of possession of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia and marijuana.

In the federal case, Jones was charged in 2021 with receiving stolen property and firearms not to be carried without a license in the Western District of Pennsylvania. He waived his preliminary hearing in that case Aug. 21, court records show.