RIDGWAY: Authorities have filed multiple felony charges against three women following a months-long investigation into the alleged distribution of methamphetamine in and around Elk County, according to court records.

Ridgway Borough Police have charged Rachel Kay Miller, 51, of Ridgway, and Rachel Susan Anderson, 30, of McKees Rocks, with a series of felony offenses. The charges include manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; conspiracy related to those offenses; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity with intent to promote; conspiracy to deal in unlawful proceeds; and criminal use of a communication facility. The complaints were filed Jan. 28 and Feb. 3 with Magisterial District Judge James Martin.

Miller faces additional misdemeanor charges for possession of a controlled substance and possession or use of drug paraphernalia.

A third defendant, Hailey Renee Shrefler, 28, of St. Marys, has also been charged with similar felony offenses, including drug delivery-related counts, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, and criminal use of a communication facility, along with one misdemeanor count of possession or use of drug paraphernalia. The criminal complaint against Shrefler was filed Feb. 3.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the investigation began in August 2025 when narcotics agents with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and its Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control identified Miller as a suspected supplier of methamphetamine operating in Elk County.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Miller’s East Main Street residence in Ridgway on Oct. 2, 2025. During the search, police reported finding digital scales, packaging materials associated with drug distribution, and suspected methamphetamine packaged in a manner consistent with sales.

During a subsequent interview, Miller allegedly told investigators she acted as an intermediary for Anderson and stated she was distributing large quantities of methamphetamine throughout the area. Police further reported that a review of Miller’s cellphone revealed numerous financial transactions in August and September 2025 involving individuals known to be connected to drug activity, including Anderson.

Miller also allegedly told police that Anderson operated separate drug distribution channels, sourcing methamphetamine from the Bradford or Buffalo, New York area, while fentanyl was reportedly obtained from the Pittsburgh region.

Investigators also interviewed Shrefler at the time of the search. According to the affidavit, Shrefler said she rented vehicles from an Enterprise Rental location in DuBois at Anderson’s direction and was reimbursed through electronic payments. She told police the vehicles were rented because Anderson did not possess a valid driver’s license and denied knowing the cars were allegedly used in drug-related activity. Shrefler provided screenshots of text messages and payment records to investigators.

Authorities later connected a phone number involved in the communications to a Cash App account identified as “$RatchCity,” which investigators say belonged to Anderson. Records obtained from Cash App and Chime allegedly showed financial activity consistent with drug trafficking in and around Elk County.

Court documents indicate Miller is being held in the Elk County Jail on $200,000 bail, while Shrefler is being held on $100,000 bail. Preliminary hearings for Miller and Shrefler are scheduled for Feb. 18 before Judge Martin. A preliminary hearing date for Anderson has not yet been set.