JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An Adams Township man’s accused killer was found 175 miles east of the crime scene Nov. 6 walking from the slain man’s BMW with the man’s credit card in his pocket, police said.
Dashane White-Ferguson, of Philadelphia, who has been in Lancaster County Prison on drug charges ever since, allegedly offered different explanations for why he had Barry Senior Jr.’s luxury car. But Friday, Cambria County investigators accused him of fatally stabbing Senior and setting his body on fire near the border of Cambria and Westmoreland counties.
White-Ferguson faces criminal homicide, aggravated assault and abuse of a corpse charges, among others, related to Senior’s death.
The homicide sparked a multi- agency investigation in November.
Suspicious death
Senior’s body was found by responders who were dispatched to the scene of a small fire alongside state Route 56 in Lower Yoder Township.
Investigators discovered Senior’s body had been set ablaze, according to West Hills police.
A death investigation revealed the Adams Township man had been stabbed multiple times and strangled, a criminal complaint shows.
In the complaint, West Hills police Detective Jared Arcuri wrote that White-Ferguson had robbed Senior and inflicted the stabbing injuries that led to his death.
Blood, BMW clues
According to an affidavit filed Friday, White-Ferguson abandoned Senior’s BMW on the shoulder of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Lancaster County.
Senior’s American Express card was found in his pocket, Arcuri wrote.
There was an abrasion on White-Ferguson’s left hand and what appeared to be dried blood on one boot.
Senior’s wallet was found inside the car as well as a “large amount of blood” on the trunk lid and a rear vehicle seat, Arcuri added.
Police said White-Ferguson acted fidgety at times and gave state police a changing “story” about his recent activity and travel plans.
At one point, he said the blood was from a dog, and that he had permission to use the vehicle “from his cousin,” but was unable to provide the cousin’s name, Arcuri said.
But police were able to verify a substance found in the BMW was human blood, West Hills police wrote.
Authorities have since confirmed the vehicle was registered to Senior and the man is not White-Ferguson’s relative, Cambria County District Attorney Gregory Neugebauer told The Tribune-Democrat.
Investigation ongoingThe Philadelphia man was a person of interest early on – but a number of recently completed investigative procedures yielded valuable “results” that enabled authorities to file charges against him Friday, Neugebauer said.
He declined to offer specifics “to protect the integrity of our investigation.”
Neugebauer said he also could not comment on a possible motive, but said investigators are gathering information to better clarify the nature of the relationship.
“We’re trying to piece together how they knew each other,” he said, noting it did not appear the pair “knew each other for very long.”
“If there’s anyone who has information that could help authorities … including how long (White-Ferguson and Senior) knew each other, we’re definitely interested in hearing from them,” Neugebauer said.
Filling in those details – or even establishing a motive – isn’t required to prosecute White- Ferguson, he added.
But there are questions investigators would like to answer for the jury that will one day be seated to decide the case, he said.
White-Ferguson is being housed in Lancaster County Prison on drug charges that were filed in Elizabeth Township Nov. 6 – the day he was taken into custody.
His bail was set for $75,000 Dec. 31, online court documents show.
He was awaiting a video arraignment Friday on his Cambria County charges, one of which – homicide – is a non-bailable offense.
A preliminary hearing was not yet set as of 3 p.m., district court staff said.
Neugebauer said he anticipated White-Ferguson will likely be brought to Cambria County to face the accusations against him in the next several weeks.
He credited law enforcement partners both locally in Cambria County and in Lancaster County – as well as state and federal agencies – for helping move the case forward.
West Hills police and Cambria County detectives were assisted by Johnstown police, the Department of Homeland Security and Pennsylvania State Police, Neugebauer said.
“This investigation again highlights the dedication of law enforcement to bring charges against those who perpetrate violent crimes against our fellow citizens,” Neugebauer said, citing cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as “incredibly valuable” in enabling the case to progress.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Senior family, and we look forward to continuing to fight for justice for Barry Jr. and those that loved him,” Neugebauer said.
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