Woman Facing Hindering Charges in Connection with Fentanyl Bust in Oil City

| April 25, 2018

OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – An Oil City woman is facing felony charges after police discovered evidence linking her to a recent fentanyl bust in Oil City.

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 36-year-old Misty Rainee Unangst, of Oil City.

According to a criminal complaint, on Wednesday, April 18, Patrolman Ruditis executed a search warrant on a vehicle belonging to Misty Unangst in relation to an investigation into the sale, delivery, and/or distribution of controlled substances in the Oil City area.

During the search, officers took the known female driver of the vehicle and the passenger, James Word, into custody. A subsequent search of Word revealed plastic sandwich baggies containing what Word identified as heroin, but police suspected to be fentanyl. During a further search of the vehicle, officers also found receipts showing Unangst sent money via wire transfer to Word.

Police also located two cell phones on Word’s person. Search warrants were served on the devices, and in one device police found conversations between Unangst and Word regarding the sale and delivery of controlled substances as well as communications in which Unangst assisted Word with arrangements for traveling between Detroit, Michigan, and Erie, Pa., for Word to transport unspecified amounts of controlled substances.

The conversations also included communication regarding Word being unable to stay at Unangst’s residence due to a wanted individual, Darrell Banks, continuing to come and go from her residence. In the conversation, Unangst admits on multiple occasions that Banks has been at her residence and that he still resides at the residence. Unangst was aware of the outstanding felony arrest warrant for Banks, as Patrolman Ruditis had directly informed her of the warrant.

The investigation also revealed that Word allegedly paid Unangst approximately $600.00 to stay at her residence for the purposes of selling and/or distributing controlled substances, according to the complaint.

Based on the investigation, Unangst was arraigned at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, April 23, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on the following charges:

– Hinder Apprehension/Prosecution-Harbor Or Conceal, Felony 3
– Conspiracy – Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3
– Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3

Unable to post bail, Unangst was lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, with Judge Fish presiding.

Related Stories:

Detroit Man Busted with Suspected Fentanyl in Oil City

Oil City Police Continue Search for Man Wanted for Alleged Assault on Girlfriend


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