RENOVO- James Carrol Sampson, Jr., 38, of Susquehanna Avenue in Renovo, was bound over for trial on all charges after a preliminary hearing in the Clinton County Courthouse on February 3rd.  MDJ Keith Kibler heard presentation by District Attorney Dave Strouse and Arresting Officer Logan Webb of the Pennsylvania State Police - Lamar and eventually bound all crimes over for trial before the Court of Common Pleas.  Approximately 30 minutes into the hearing on Tuesday, Strouse requested MDJ Kibler allow the Commonwealth to amend Sampson's charges.  Kibler granted the request, and Strouse then charged Sampson with two additional felony offenses after evidence showed that Sampson was found to be in possession of two firearms with obliterated serial numbers.

Webb also presented photographs into evidence at the hearing, several of which were taken by a surveillance camera.  In one of the alleged photos, Webb identified Sampson who was wearing a headlamp and holding a handgun.  When police searched Sampson's residence, a similar handgun was recovered.  Webb also testified that both Sampson and his co-defendant were interviewed after they were apprehended and both provided confessions to the majority of the crimes charged.

Trooper Webb originally charged Sampson, along with his alleged co-defendant, Daniel Clayton Dietz, 46, of 14th Street in Altoona, with 4 counts each of Burglary (F2), Theft (F3), Theft of Secondary Metals (F3), and Criminal Mischief (M2).  State Police allege that both men repeatedly broke into the Clinton County Economic Partnership Building at Industrial Park Road in Renovo Borough over the course of three weeks in November, 2024.  The men are alleged to have stolen copper valued between $5,000 to $10,000, tools valued between $10,000 to $15,000, and turkey calls valued at approximately $20,000.  The two men are also alleged to have caused more than $40,000 worth of damage to the building.

Police allege that Deitz was taken into custody inside the Economic Partnership building during the 4th attempted burglary by the duo, while Sampson fled the area.  Sampson was later apprehended by police at his mother's residence.  Police were able to recover a significant portion of the stolen goods.

Sampson already faces a pending case in Clinton County for allegedly driving under the influence of controlled substances in December of 2023.  In that case, State Police allege they located a firearm in Sampson's vehicle as he was slumped over the wheel in a fast food restaurant parking lot.  The firearm was discovered to have an obliterated serial number.