EBENSBURG — A Canadian woman who has been living in Johnstown for more than a year and now facing crack cocaine charges will be able to get out of the Cambria County Prison only if released by a federal court or immigration authorities, a county judge ruled Thursday.
Edelyn Madalura, 25, of the 500 block of Harold Avenue, is being held in the county prison on a federal immigration detainer even after her $80,000 bond was posted by $8,000 – 10 percent cash – on Monday on the drug charges, Sgt. Mary Makin, the prison’s records officer, said.
Even if a federal court orders her released or the detainer is lifted, Judge Norman Krumenacker has tightened her county bond conditions. She must report daily to a probation officer and she cannot change her address without his permission, he said.
Still unresolved is whether a marriage license issued Feb. 9 by the county register of wills office for Madalura and her fiance, Matthew Sherrell of Johnstown, is still valid so they can be married.
Patty Sharbaugh, the register, said that she had revoked the license after learning that the woman may be an illegal alien and was attempting to have Sherrell return the license. In Pennsylvania, a marriage license is good for 60 days, and the couple can be married anywhere in the state, Sharbaugh said.
The judge said that he would not address that issue unless a petition is filed with the court.
Madalura was the passenger in an SUV involved in a fatal traffic accident Jan. 27 on Haws Pike near Johnstown.
The driver of the other vehicle – Todd Block, 49, of Johnstown, was killed in the crash. His passenger – Richard Facci, 62, also of Johnstown – died Sunday of injuries from the accident.
The West Hills police said that they found cocaine in the women’s vehicle – in a diaper bag and purse allegedly carried by Madalura. The police charged Madalura and Melody Shanae Harris, the driver of the SUV, with possession of cocaine with the intent to deliver and criminal conspiracy.
The crack, which weighed 116 grams, would have a street value of more than $20,000, a narcotics investigator said.
Rather than increasing Madalura’s bond as requested by county prosectors, the judge tightened the bail conditions.
Attorney Tom Leiden suggested that Madalura would be a flight risk if released on the $80,000 bond. If convicted, she would face a mandatory minimum of four years in prison even though she reportedly has no prior criminal record, Leiden said.
Stephen Fleming of State College, one of Madulura's attorneys, asked that she be released from the jail because the federal detainer to hold her there was good for 48 hours.
Makin testified that Madalura started being listed as a federal detainee the day after bond was posted.
After Krumenacker said that he would have no jurisdiction of a federal detainee, Fleming said that he would petition a federal Immigration Court for her release.
Pittsburgh Attorney George Bills, who represents Madalura on the criminal charges, told the judge that she had entered the country legally with a birth certificate and Canadian driver’s license - the only requirements at the time.
A preliminary hearing for the two women is scheduled for April 8 before District Judge John Barron of Upper Yoder Township.
Local News
Release unlikely in Haws Pike crash
- Local News
-
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
-
Community Event is ‘fun for the kids’
The annual Johnstown Community Event held Saturday was a big hit in many ways.
-
Fielding interest: With new rec facility, leaders hope to sell old site
Borough Council leaders here find they are about to get into the real estate business, from the sellers’ end that is.
-
Richland weighs $2.1M offer for land
Richland School District officials will take time, likely a month, to weigh an Ohio developer’s Rachel Hill school land offer.
-
Officials cool on tax plan
Two state lawmakers from the area agree that a proposal to eliminate school property taxes with revenues from increases in the state personal income and state sales taxes has little chance of success anytime soon.
-
Portage store serves up a helping of history
Gone are the days when Schoenfeld’s Department Store sold ladies apparel, men’s suits and children’s shoes.
-
BILL EGGERT | Disco dancing days
-
BILL FINDLEY | Johnstown area is a great place for young adults to live and work
Looking for a great place to live and work? If you are like most people, your list would likely include a multitude of factors to consider in the selection process – such things as job opportunities, less stress, reasonable living costs, and plenty of fun things to do.
- Cambria County Court Report 05/27/2012
- Local business briefs 5/27/2012
- More Local News Headlines


