Human trafficking case results in probation

Beck pleads guilty, receives 10 years’ probation for part in incident with girl, 14

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A Blair County woman pleaded guilty Friday to criminal conspiracy to engage in human trafficking and lesser offenses in exchange for a sentence of 10 years' probation.

Nikkia D. Beck, 43, who told a jury in January 2024 that she and her cousin, Donald Lennon Hetrick, exchanged text messages about his desire to engage in sex with a 14-year-old girl, entered the guilty pleas Friday before President Judge Wade A. Kagarise, who imposed the negotiated sentence.

Assistant District Attorney Nichole Smith said Monday that Beck's sentence was a reflection of her cooperation and testimony during Hetrick's jury trial.

The most serious offense Beck pleaded guilty to -- conspiring to engage in human trafficking -- is a first-degree felony that classifies her as a sex offender who must regularly register her address with state police for the rest of her life. In addition, Kagarise ordered Beck to undergo an evaluation by the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board.

Defense attorney Maribeth Schaffer also acknowledged that Beck's testimony at Hetrick's trial was reflected in the negotiated sentence.

Hetrick, who testified in his own defense at trial and denied raping the girl, has taken his objections to the state Superior Court in a recent appeal filed by defense attorney Scott Pletcher.

During trial, Hetrick also denied that he was the one who created and exchanged text messages with Beck.

When the trial concluded, the jury convicted Hetrick of human trafficking, rape of an unconscious person, statutory sexual assault and related offenses. He is currently incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Somerset, serving a sentence of 21 to 47 years.

State police at Hollidaysburg arrested Hetrick in January 2023 and Beck in December 2022 after an investigation into what happened during Easter weekend in 2021, when Hetrick and Beck -- then living in the Williamsburg area -- rented rooms at an Antis Township motel.

Testimony revealed that during the weekend, Beck's daughter, then 13, and her 14-year-old female friend became intoxicated from drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana while in Hetrick's room.

The victim, 17 at the time of Hetrick's jury trial, said that when she and Beck's daughter returned to Beck's room, Beck became angry about the intoxication and told her to find a ride home or return to Hetrick's room.

Evidence collected by state police included text messages between Hetrick and Beck, where Hetrick spoke of wanting to engage in sexual activity with the 14-year-old girl and sought Beck's help to get her to return to his room. Among the texts exchanged was one in which Hetrick was alleged to have told Beck: "Please make it happen. Work your magic."

The victim, who at trial described herself as "very intoxicated," said she returned to Hetrick's room because she didn't have a cellphone, a driver's license or a ride. While she initially fell asleep, she told the jury she remembered waking up with Hetrick on top of her and his hand inside her, then falling back asleep and waking as his body thrust against hers.

When Hetrick testified, he admitted the girl stayed in his room, but denied the assault allegations.

Hetrick was the first person in Blair County to be tried and convicted for human trafficking and conspiracy to commit human trafficking, as defined by a state law enacted in 2014.

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