From Pennsylvania State Police
An Indiana man was charged on April 13 following investigation into the death of a Coral man in February, 2022.
James Emanuel Emerson, 52, was charged with felony counts of Drug Delivery Resulting in Death; Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver; and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
On February 4, 2022 at approximately 1:35 p.m., members of the Troop A, Indiana Patrol Unit were dispatched to assist EMS with a possible drug overdose at a residence along Locust Street in Center Township, Indiana County. The victim, identified as Chad Richard Stineman, 23, of Coral, PA, had been found deceased inside the residence.
Following an autopsy conducted at ForensicDX, Windber, PA, the cause of death was determined to be multiple drug toxicity. Toxicology testing also revealed the presence of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and xylazine.
Stamp bags seized from the scene of the incident were later analyzed at the Pennsylvania State Police Greensburg Regional Laboratory and were found to contain fentanyl and xylazine.
Additional investigative efforts included the execution of various search warrants, interviews, and a review of cell phone records and transactions.
In the course of the investigation, the defendant, Emerson, was identified as a suspect and is alleged to have intentionally delivered, sold, and distributed the drugs that caused the victim’s death.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 16 at 11:00 a.m.
