Judge rejects request in drug case

Rickabaugh asked for time served, received 3 to 24.5 months

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A Bedford County man accused in February 2021 of using, selling and exposing his children to illicit drugs was ordered Friday to report to Blair County Prison on April 17 to finish a minimum sentence of three months' incarceration.

Judge Wade A. Kagarise also directed David Lee Rickabaugh, 38, Robertsdale, to set up work release arrangements that will be acceptable to the county prison.

The judge said it's in Rickabaugh's best interest and in the community's best interest that Rickabaugh be employed.

Defense attorney Robert Donaldson said Rickabaugh, who has been drug free for almost two years, has already completed drug and alcohol, anger management and parenting classes.

"I think he's on the right track now," Donaldson said outside court.

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Thomas asked Kagarise for a sentence of at least six months' incarceration on the possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine offense, followed by five years' probation. He also objected to the work release option.

Thomas spoke of cellphone video and photos collected in the case, showing Rickabaugh exposing children younger than 5 years old to illegal drugs.

One video, according to a criminal complaint, shows Rickabaugh holding a bag of leafed marijuana and telling a child, multiple times, to smell it.

"(He's) destroying young life from the beginning ... starting them off on a bad lifestyle," Thomas told the judge.

Rickabaugh, who said his actions were a reflection of his addiction, asked for a time-served or a probationary sentence.

"To me, getting incarcerated will set me back," Rickabaugh said.

Kagarise dismissed Rickabaugh's request and imposed three to 23.5 months' incarceration to address guilty pleas to possession with intent to deliver meth, criminal conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of a child and retail theft.

Rickabaugh, who spent about six weeks in jail between his arrest and getting released on bail, will get credit for that time toward his sentence. But he must return on April 17 to finish the remaining portion. Upon release, Rickabaugh will be under supervision of the county parole and probation office.

The investigation resulting in Rickabaugh's charges began on Feb. 7, 2021, when he and Kristian Mae Drenning were detained at the Walmart in Freedom Township with a variety of stolen goods.

Freedom Township police, while searching the couple and Rickabaugh's vehicle, found substances believed to be methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Officers took custody of four cellphones and secured a warrant to search the contents, which indicated that Rickabaugh and Drenning were corresponding with several people about buying, selling and using drugs. Video also showed them to be under the influence of drugs in the presence of children, according to the charges.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.