Derry Township man charged in 2007 slaying accused of having drugs at prison

A Derry Township man awaiting trial in a 2007 homicide was arraigned Thursday on new police accusations that he had drugs at the Westmoreland County Prison.

Charles Earl Ream, 55, was charged by county detectives this week with possession of contraband and conspiracy.

Authorities said in court papers that June 15 video footage from basketball gyms in two housing units showed Ream communicate with another inmate through a door separating the gyms. Something appears to be slipped under the door to Ream.

An envelope containing a substance was seized from him, according to court papers. It tested positive for buprenorphine, which can be used to treat opioid use disorder. When prescribed legally, buprenorphine can help prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduce dependency on opioids, such as heroin, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Ream’s bail was set at $50,000. He didn’t have an attorney listed in the new case.

He remains at the Westmoreland County Prison where he’s been held since his July 2023 arrest on homicide charges.

Ream is accused in the March 27, 2007, death of 22-year-old Samantha Lang at her father’s home on Route 982 near the Derry Township village known as Peanut. State police had long suspected Ream of involvement in the slaying and periodically made public pleas for information along with Lang’s mother in an effort to solve the case.

Witnesses told troopers over the years Ream admitted being involved in Lang’s death. One witness testified during a preliminary hearing in August 2023 that he and Ream were using drugs together a couple years later and Ream said he stabbed her.

Lang’s throat had been slit, and she was found in a pool of blood between the kitchen and living room. Details of an autopsy report in a criminal complaint filed against Ream indicate she was beaten, and one of her fingers was broken.

The home — which police described in court papers as a hub for drug activity — was ransacked and had a strong odor of marijuana.

Police said a rear door apparently had been forced open, and a gray metal safe was left on a bed while a metal lock box was found on the back porch.

Ream is being held without bail on charges of homicide, robbery, burglary and theft. A pretrial motion hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28, according to online court records.