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SHEFFIELD – Sheffield township supervisors are accepting applications for a new supervisor following the resignation of former supervisor Alyssa McDowell.
The supervisors held a special meeting late last week to accept McDowell's resignation. Those interested in the position can call the township office at 814-968-3906 or email sheffieldtwpsecretary@outlook.com. Requirements to hold the position include being a registered elector of the township as well as residing in the township for at least one continuous year prior to appointment. The vacancy will be for the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027. Should the appointed person wish to continue to hold the position, they will need to follow the requirements to be placed on the ballot in 2027 to be elected for a six-year term from 2028-2034.
McDowell, 34, of Sheffield was charged with five counts of acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge; five counts of intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered, third-degree felony theft by unlawful taking - movable property and misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking - movable property after an investigation involving the state Attorney General's office. McDowell was arraigned Tuesday by Magisterial District Court Judge Raymond Zydonik, who set bail at $100,000 unsecured. Charges were originally filed on Oct. 14.
According to the criminal complaint filed by the Attorney General’s office, McDowell diverted more than 90,000 of hydrocodone and oxycodone tablets, both Schedule 2 narcotics, between Jan. 1, 2020 and May 2026, while she worked at the Sheffield Pharmacy by removing multiple 100-pill bottles numerous times from deliveries made to the pharmacy from McKesson Pharmaceuticals, taking possession of the medication and then allegedly failing to document the bottles in the inventory. The criminal complaint also details instances of medication being removed from a returned package to the Ruth Smith Center nursing home that was to be given to one of the nursing home’s residents.
“This defendant used her position to obtain a massive amount of highly-addictive medications,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This type of conduct fuels a prescription drug abuse crisis that, so often, leads to individuals using fentanyl and heroin.”
Sheffield officials said in a Facebook post when the charges became public that McDowell had resigned, though they said her resignation letter said the reasons for her resignation were not related to the federal charges.
"We want to clarify the limited role of Sheffield Township in this matter," Cara Schader, town secretary/treasurer, wrote in the Facebok post. "This is an ongoing police investigation and is not a matter being handled, directed or investigated by Sheffield Township or the township supervisors. The township has no authority over the investigation, the evidence or any decisions made by law enforcement. We will cooperate with law enforcement as appropriate and provide any assistance that may be legally required of the township. However, questions regarding the circumstances of this case or the ongoing investigation should be directed to the appropriate law enforcement agency."