Fatal drug administration results in prison sentence | News, Sports, Jobs

Pletcher

HOLLIDAYSBURG – An Altoona woman faces five to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to drug trafficking resulting in death and related offenses.

Emily Elizabeth Pletcher, 30, who was accused of supplying Nathan Daniel McGinnis with drugs that led to his overdose death on September 27, 2021, apologized to McGinnis’ family members and cried in court.

“I made a really bad decision,” Pletcher said. “I let my addiction take over and ruined not only other people’s lives, but my own. And now I have to face the consequences.”

McGinnis’ parents found their then 32-year-old son unconscious in a bedroom of their Frankstown Township residence.

His father, David McGinnis, said he prays that no parent will have to suffer the loss of a child.

“Nathan’s greatest gift to this world,” his father said, “was the way he touched the lives of everyone he met: every teacher, every colleague, every customer, every friend and every family member.”

Chelsey McGinnis Mencer described her brother as a modern-day Renaissance man who loved art and science and taught himself many musical instruments. She said he sold paintings at craft fairs across the country, wrote novels and enjoyed traveling.

In court, the sister placed a large picture of her brother in Pletcher’s field of vision.

“Nathan was truly loved by everyone, as a brother, son, nephew, cousin and friend,” she said. “He seemed to have a special way of touching others with his cheerfulness.”

Pletcher, who repeatedly wiped tears from her cheek and cried, said she worked with McGinnis for a short time. Cellphone records obtained by state police in Hollidaysburg showed McGinnis was in contact with Pletcher on the day of his death. Text messages indicated his desire to buy drugs.

In an interview with a police officer on March 24, 2022, Pletcher allegedly admitted to selling drugs to McGinnis on multiple occasions. However, she denied selling him the drugs that led to his overdose death. When asked how she knew, she allegedly replied that she had consumed the same drugs and had not died.

The indictment against Pletcher states that McGinnis’ cause of death was an overdose of several drugs. Laboratory results showed the presence of methamphetamine and MDNA as well as morphine, which is associated with heroin use.

First Assistant District Attorney Nichole Smith and Chief Public Defender Russ Montgomery also told Blair County Judge Jackie Bernard that the negotiated plea and recommended sentence will also relate to charges filed against Pletcher by Altoona police in March 2022. In that case, police went to a residence in the 1100 block of 20th Avenue after a local pediatrician’s office reported that a child had called four times and stated that his mother’s eyes were closed.

Investigating officers found Pletcher and two other adults in the home, along with 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, four grams of fentanyl, 25 grams of marijuana, large amounts of drug paraphernalia, prescription medications, Suboxone strips, $510 in cash and two firearms.

In that case, Pletcher pleaded guilty to charges of endangering the welfare of a child, possession with intent to distribute, and criminal conspiracy, as well as related offenses. Although a specific sentence was set for each offense, Bernard agreed that the sentences could be served concurrently, making them a total of five to 15 years, taking into account the state’s drug treatment program, which is decided by the state Department of Corrections.

“This is a harsh sentence, but it gives you the opportunity to live a different life,” the judge told Pletcher. “If you’re serious and want to live a different life, this is your chance.”

Bernard, who ordered Pletcher to pay $8,999 for McGinnis’ funeral and related expenses, praised the father and sister for speaking eloquently about the loss of their family member.

“I hope the conclusion of this case brings you some healing,” the judge said.

Reach Mirror editor Kay Stephens at 814-946-7456.