Former Latrobe man pleads guilty in friend's overdose death

A former Latrobe man pleaded guilty to his role in the 2021 overdose death of his friend.

Kevin. B. Shaffer, 52, faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in about three months after he pleaded guilty Monday to one felony count of drug delivery resulting in death.

Shaffer, according to police, solicited money from 63-year-old Michael Schultheis to purchase drugs they later consumed together at a home in Latrobe. Rescue crews responding to call from a neighbor on Jan. 14, 2021, found both men unresponsive. Schultheis was pronounced dead and Shaffer was resuscitated after being administered a dose of Narcan, police said.

Police said Shaffer initially claimed he did not recall using the drugs and later told authorities he borrowed $260 from Schultheis to make the drug purchase.

Prosecutors contend Shaffer was linked to the drug purchase through cell phone records and, days after the fatal overdose, attempted to alert his contact about the police investigation.

According to court records, the investigation identified Ayla M. Taylor, of Greensburg as the person with whom Shaffer arranged the purchase of the drugs. Taylor later told police she purchased the drugs in Monroeville, delivered them to Shaffer in Latrobe and watched him give a portion of the fentanyl-laced heroin to Schultheis.

Taylor, 28, also is charged with drug delivery resulting in death and her case is pending.

Shaffer told the judge he believed it was in his best interest to plead guilty. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger said he will sentence Shaffer in about three months after a background investigation is completed by the county’s probation office.

Shaffer will remain free on bail pending sentencing.