Van-Valkenburg shoved snow in victim’s mouth until she couldn’t breathe, fired staple into her chest, threatened to hang her — all while demanding she “tell the truth”

LEBANON TOWNSHIP, PA — A Wayne County woman told state police her boyfriend shoved snow into her mouth until she could not breathe, fired a staple gun into her chest, beat her with a shovel, and threatened to hang her in their basement — all while demanding she confess to something she says she didn’t do.

Jason J. Van-Valkenburg, 48, of Honesdale, has been held at Wayne County Prison since his December 8 arraignment on 16 criminal charges including first-degree felony kidnapping. He failed to post $100,000 monetary bail.

The alleged attack unfolded December 4 at 2012 Great Bend Turnpike — a stretch of PA Route 371 running through the forests of Lebanon Township in northern Wayne County, roughly 15 miles northeast of Honesdale near the New York border.

Van-Valkenburg served time in state prison less than three years ago on felony drug charges. His criminal history in Wayne County spans two decades.

“I Need to Get the Truth Out of You”

According to the criminal complaint filed by Trooper Robi L. Wareham of PSP Honesdale, troopers were dispatched to Manchester Township around 3:09 p.m. on December 5 for an active domestic incident.

The victim, Caitlin Merrigan, told investigators that on December 4, Van-Valkenburg was driving her to work in Lake Como — a small village near the New York border — when he refused to let her bring a cell phone. While en route, he allegedly told her, “I need to get the truth out of you,” then turned the vehicle around and drove back to their Great Bend Turnpike residence.

When they arrived, Merrigan attempted to exit the vehicle. Van-Valkenburg allegedly grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back inside.

Merrigan disclosed he had been using methamphetamine since October, which triggered what she described as “severe paranoia.” She told investigators she had been experiencing escalating problems with Van-Valkenburg for several days.

Snow, Fists, and a Torn Shirt

Once outside the vehicle, Van-Valkenburg allegedly shoved snow into Merrigan’s mouth until she could not breathe.

He then tore part of her shirt off and forced her to keep the fabric in her mouth as they went inside. While gripping her shirt, he punched her on the right side of her face.

Trooper Wareham documented swelling to her cheekbones consistent with this account.

The Basement: Stripped, Beaten, Stapled

Van-Valkenburg allegedly forced Merrigan into the basement and ordered her to remove all of her clothing.

He retrieved a shovel and struck her on the right hand while continuing to apply pressure. Trooper Wareham observed and documented recent bruising and swelling to her right hand.

Van-Valkenburg then allegedly retrieved a staple gun from the garage. He pressed it against her chest and attempted to fire staples into her multiple times while demanding, “You gonna tell me the truth yet?”

One staple penetrated the left side of her chest. Merrigan told investigators she removed it herself.

Trooper Wareham observed two puncture marks on the left side of her chest.

Merrigan reported severe pain in her lower back and hips from being pushed down multiple times. The trooper documented recent bruising over her left hip.

At one point during the ordeal, Van-Valkenburg allegedly threatened to hang her in the basement.

Thrown Out, Flagged Down Passersby

The alleged attack ended around 2:30 p.m. on December 5 when Van-Valkenburg threw Merrigan out of the residence after placing her belongings in garbage bags outside.

Merrigan flagged down a passing motorist on Great Bend Turnpike for help.

Trooper Wareham interviewed the witnesses — homeowners who were driving on the historic turnpike when they saw a woman flagging them down near 2012 Great Bend Turnpike. The homeowner reported the woman was “very distraught” and described what her boyfriend had done to her. The account was consistent with Merrigan’s statements to police.

The Charges

Van-Valkenburg faces 16 charges filed in Wayne County:

• Kidnapping to Inflict Injury/Terror (F1) – 1 count
• Aggravated Assault: Attempts to Cause or Causes BI With Deadly Weapon (F2) – 2 counts
• Unlawful Restraint/Involuntary Servitude (M1) – 1 count
• False Imprisonment (M2) – 1 count
• Simple Assault (M2) – 8 counts
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (M2) – 3 counts

The kidnapping charge — a first-degree felony under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(3) — carries up to 20 years in state prison. Each aggravated assault count carries up to 10 years. Prosecutors allege the shovel and staple gun constitute deadly weapons under Pennsylvania law.

Van-Valkenburg’s Criminal History

Wayne County Court records show Van-Valkenburg completed a state prison sentence for felony drug charges less than three years before the alleged kidnapping and torture.

2019 – Felony Drug Conviction / State Prison

Van-Valkenburg was arrested December 27, 2019, by PSP Honesdale Trooper Randal J. Troiani Jr. in Paupack Township and charged with felony manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Bail was set at $50,000. He remained in Wayne County Prison until posting bail on June 17, 2020.

He pleaded guilty on October 22, 2020, before Judge Janine Edwards. On December 3, 2020, Edwards sentenced him to one to five years in a state correctional institution. The court found him ineligible for the Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive program and boot camp, though he qualified for state drug treatment.

Van-Valkenburg was committed to state prison on December 8, 2020. Court records show his penalty was marked satisfied on March 24, 2023.

2008 – Retail Theft

Arrested December 24, 2008, by PSP Honesdale in Texas Township. Charged with retail theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. Pleaded guilty June 11, 2009, before Judge Raymond L. Hamill. Sentence: no further penalty.

2004 – Illegally Obtained Vehicle (Nolle Prossed)

Arrested September 7, 2004, by PSP Honesdale in Paupack Township. Charged with disposing of an altered or illegally obtained vehicle, a third-degree felony. Pleaded guilty April 28, 2005, before Judge Robert J. Conway. Charge nolle prossed September 23, 2005. Discharged from probation August 2006.

2004 – Drug Possession (Disposed at Lower Court)

Charged with marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia stemming from an April 7, 2004, incident investigated by PSP Blooming Grove. Disposed at the magisterial district level.

2023 – Summary Traffic Offense

Pleaded guilty to operating an unregistered vehicle.

What Happens Next

Van-Valkenburg’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Wayne County Central Court before Magisterial District Judge Jonathan J. Dunsinger.

According to the docket, Van-Valkenburg has not requested a public defender and has not been provided an application for court-appointed counsel. He has not yet been fingerprinted.

The Wayne County District Attorney’s Office is handling prosecution.

Van-Valkenburg will remain at Wayne County Prison unless he posts $100,000 bail.

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Case Number: MJ-22304-CR-0000053-2025

OTN: K 1016085-0

Defendant: Jason J. Van-Valkenburg, 48, Honesdale, PA 18431 (DOB: July 26, 1976)

Status: Wayne County Prison – $100,000 bail not posted

Arresting Officer: Trooper Robi L. Wareham, PSP Honesdale

Incident Location: 2012 Great Bend Turnpike, Lebanon Township, Wayne County

Court: MDJ 22-3-04, Honesdale (Wayne County)

Prior Wayne County Cases: CP-64-CR-0000405-2019 (felony drug conviction), CP-64-CR-0000622-2008 (retail theft), CP-64-CR-0000469-2004 (disposed vehicle)

Hotline: Victims’ Intervention Program of Wayne County: 1-800-698-4847

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.