Domestic Abuse Victim and Accomplices Arrested for Witness Intimidation

Altoona woman and three others charged for conspiring to attack witness who reported her abuser

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:00pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the legal consequences of witness intimidation in domestic violence cases.A harsh, gritty image of handcuffs symbolizes the legal consequences faced by those who attempt to intimidate witnesses in domestic violence cases.Altoona Today

A 29-year-old Altoona woman named Ashley Aurandt, who was a victim of domestic abuse, has been arrested along with two accomplices for conspiring to attack the witness who reported her abuser, 39-year-old Sidney Hill. Hill was already incarcerated in the Blair County Prison, but Aurandt, 36-year-old Erickson McKinnon, and 27-year-old Taivon Mitchell were all charged with witness intimidation and other related crimes as a result of the April 2nd assault attempt.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges domestic violence victims can face when trying to report their abusers, as perpetrators often attempt to intimidate or retaliate against witnesses. It also raises concerns about the ability of incarcerated individuals to coordinate criminal activities from behind bars.

The details

According to investigators, Aurandt and Hill, who was already incarcerated, orchestrated the April 2nd assault in an attempt to intimidate the witness who had reported Hill's domestic abuse of Aurandt. Aurandt, McKinnon, and Mitchell were all arrested and charged with witness intimidation and other related crimes. They were placed in the Blair County Prison with bail set at $40,000 each.

  • The domestic assault between Aurandt and Hill occurred prior to April 2, 2026.
  • The witness intimidation attempt took place on April 2, 2026.

The players

Ashley Aurandt

A 29-year-old Altoona woman who was a victim of domestic abuse and conspired with her abuser to attack the witness who reported him.

Sidney Hill

A 39-year-old man who was incarcerated in the Blair County Prison for domestic abuse against Aurandt, and who orchestrated the witness intimidation attempt from behind bars.

Erickson McKinnon

A 36-year-old man who was charged as an accomplice in the witness intimidation attempt.

Taivon Mitchell

A 27-year-old man who was charged as an accomplice in the witness intimidation attempt.

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What’s next

The four individuals charged in this case will face trial for the witness intimidation and related crimes.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges domestic violence victims face, even after reporting their abusers, as perpetrators often attempt to retaliate or intimidate witnesses. It underscores the need for stronger protections and support systems to ensure the safety of domestic violence survivors throughout the legal process.