Published: March 28, 2008 11:18 pm         

Bedford County inmate charged with solicitation to commit murder

27-year-old prisoner was awaiting trial on drug charges

BEDFORD, Pa. — A Bedford County inmate awaiting trial on drug charges has now been charged with solicitation to commit murder.

James Anderson, 27, of Black Valley Road, Everett, was arrested Friday by Pennsylvania State Police for solicitation to commit criminal homicide.

Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins said the allegation against Anderson is that he solicited another individual, in a handwritten letter, to murder a person whom Anderson believes to be a witness against him in his pending drug cases.

Following arraignment, Anderson continued to be jailed at the Bedford County Detention Center on $500,000 bond as previously set by Magisterial District Judge Kathy Calhoun.

Anderson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

“James Anderson obviously does not understand that the law does apply to him,” said Higgins. “His boldness and arrogance is absolutely incredible. This is the same person that went right back into the business of selling drugs within a week after his release on bail.

“We will not tolerate threats against the lives of Bedford County citizens. Anderson will be held accountable for all of his recent criminal activity, and we fully expect that he will be spending a significant portion of his life behind bars in a state correctional institution,” said the prosecutor.

Higgins also said that charges against Anderson are merely an accusation and that Anderson is presumed innocent until proven guilty.