EMLENTON, Pa. (EYT) – A drug case involving an Emlenton man is progressing through the system as authorities continue their investigation into the death of Kayla Dunlap.

The following charges against Shaun M. Long, 49, of Emlenton, were ordered held for court in a preliminary hearing before District Judge Matthew Kirtland:

• Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony (two counts)
• Intentional Possession Controlled Substance by Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
• Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

One second-degree felony count of operating a meth lab was dismissed.

Death Investigation Turns into Drug Investigation

A criminal complaint filed by Butler-based State Police Tpr. Brown indicates the investigation was initiated after a woman who was later identified as Kayla Dunlap, 28, of Callensburg, was found dead on September 17 in a wooded area along Lake Road near Oneida Valley Dam in Oakland Township, Butler County.

“Based on evidence found at the scene, it is believed that Dunlap was left on the side of the road after she died in a different location,” said Tpr. Brown in the criminal complaint.

Dunlap’s purse and other belongings were found near her body.

The criminal complaint states that an autopsy performed on Dunlap on September 17 revealed a defensive hand wound and a perimortem contusion on or around her head.

Kayla Dunlap

On September 18, Shaun Long — a known associate of Kayla Dunlap — was interviewed by police.

During the interview, Long told police that Dunlap was at his 1003 Eakin Road home on September 16 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., stating that she was there when he left the residence.

Further interviews corroborated that Dunlap slept at Long’s residence on September 16 “until the early morning hours.”

Long’s residence was Dunlap’s “last known location” prior to being found deceased in Butler County.

During a second interview, Long admitted to selling drugs to various individuals.

Further investigation and a search of Long’s mobile phone revealed evidence of drug transactions.

Investigators also found a text message on the phone indicating Long was in possession of white fentanyl.

Search Warrants Executed, Long Jailed

While executing a search warrant on Long’s mobile phone and vehicle on October 3, police discovered a white powdery substance on a circular glass mirror alongside a debit card and a plastic straw.

The suspected narcotics were in plain view inside Long’s home.

“These items appeared to be illegal narcotics since cocaine is often set on a glass or mirror item, cut or separated with a credit card, and snorted with a straw,” said Tpr. Brown in the criminal complaint.

An additional search warrant was obtained to search the residence.

During the search, multiple items were found that indicated the use, possession, manufacturing, processing, and delivery of drugs.

Items found include stamp bags commonly used to package and distribute heroin and fentanyl, rubber bands used to bundle heroin and fentanyl, a tray used to cut or separate drugs with white powder residue on it, and a steel colander commonly used for culling and separating powdered fentanyl.

These items were logged into evidence and sent to a Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

Additionally, a red book commonly referred to as an “owe sheet” was seized.

“Owe sheets are commonly used by drug dealers to keep track of their product sales and amounts,” said Tpr. Brown in the criminal complaint.

The book contained entries referring to “bun” which is common street lingo for the sale of 10 bags of heroin or fentanyl.

Long remains lodged in the Venango County Jail on $100,000.00 cash bail.

The investigation into the death of Kayla Dunlap has led to drug charges against four area residents.

Butler-based State Police filed similar charges on September 30 against Jennifer Marie Elder, 23, of Petrolia; Wendy R. Fross, 40, of Rimersburg; and Matthew T Hoover, 46, of Rimersburg.

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