Philadelphia man charged with criminal homicide
White-Ferguson accused of burning man near Cambria line

A Philadelphia man has been charged with criminal homicide in the stabbing death of Barry James Senior Jr., 54, whose burned body was found near the Cambria and Westmoreland County line in early November 2024.
Along with criminal homicide, Dashane White-Ferguson, 25, is facing single felony counts of aggravated assault and robbery, one misdemeanor count of tampering with/fabricating physical evidence, as well as two misdemeanor counts of abuse of a corpse. While his case remains inactive, a criminal complaint was filed in Cambria County on Jan. 3.
“This investigation again highlights the dedication of law enforcement to bring charges against those who perpetrate violent crimes against our fellow citizens,” said Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer in a news release. “The assistance of (state police) in Lancaster has been instrumental and incredibly valuable and demonstrates the level of cooperation among federal, state and local entities for the betterment of our neighborhoods. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Senior family, and we look forward to continuing to fight for justice for Barry Jr. and those that loved him.”
Senior’s burned body was discovered on Nov. 6 after a reported brush fire along Route 56, Haws Pike, in the area near the Cambria and Westmoreland County line.
Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees identified Senior, of Adams Township, as the victim after an autopsy on Nov. 8. Senior’s cause of death was massive blood loss due to multiple stab wounds, Lees said.
According to WJAC, Lees said it appeared Senior had also been strangled. He was set on fire after he had died, Lees said, ruling the death a homicide.
It is believed that Senior had been going to meet someone he had met on the internet, although Neugebauer was unable to comment if Senior and White-Ferguson had known each other previously, WJAC reported.
Police do not believe Senior was killed along Route 56.
The charges were filed by West Hills Police and the Cambria County Detective Bureau, with aid from the Pennsylvania State Police, Johnstown Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on the case is asked to contact West Hills Police at 814-255-4145 or Cambria County Detectives at
814-472-1680, according to the release.
White-Ferguson is being held at the Lancaster County Prison and is expected to be arraigned by video. His preliminary hearing will then be scheduled to be in front of Magisterial District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi, according to the news release.