CLEARFIELD – A 20-year-old Philadelphia man who was arrested on drug charges following an Oct. 30 traffic stop along Interstate 80 in Graham Township waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday at Centralized Court at the Clearfield County Jail.
Steven William Palaia, 20 of Philadelphia, has been charged with manufacture, delivery and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; three counts of intentional possession of a controlled substance by person not registered; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Cpl. Douglas Clark, of the Punxsutawney State Police, was stationary on I-80 and monitoring eastbound traffic at mile marker 128.5. He stated he observed a silver-colored Ford Focus pass by after which he initiated a traffic stop at mile marker 132 prior to the 133 eastbound exit.
In court documents, Clark stated that after approaching the passenger side, he met with Palaia, who was the vehicle’s operator and only occupant. He requested Palaia’s driver’s license and vehicle ownership information during the stop.
He said Palaia’s hand was “shaking so much” that he asked him why he was so nervous. He stated he advised Palaia to calm down. He, however, indicated that Palaia remained “visibly shaken.” He also noted that he could smell the “faint odor” of raw marijuana in the vehicle.
In court documents, Clark indicated that he returned to the state police vehicle and issued Palaia a written warning for an equipment violation. He then returned to the defendant’s vehicle and asked him to exit the same. He said the two met at the rear of the vehicle, and he explained the warning. He said he informed Palaia that he was free to leave afterward.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Clark then asked Palaia if he had time to speak about his trip. He stated that Palaia related he was traveling to Penn State for a Halloween Party. Clark stated that at the time, Palaia’s nervousness “again arose well above average.”
As a result, Clark stated that he asked him about his excessive nervousness during their interactions. He said he then asked Palaia if he was in possession of any controlled substances. He said the defendant related that he was not.
Clark said he questioned Palaia directly about marijuana. He said the defendant’s “nervousness began to grow again.” He said it did so much the defendant made eye contact with the vehicle’s trunk each time marijuana was mentioned.
Clark said he requested the consent to search Palaia’s vehicle. He said the defendant told him he didn’t believe it was necessary. Clark said he contacted Tpr. Reed Grenci, a K-9 trooper with the Clarion State Police, and asked him to report to the location. He said he advised Palaia that Grenci would be en route and his travel time was approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
Clark stated that Palaia related he “had him,” and he’d consent to a search. He said he then produced a Pennsylvania State Police Consent to Search form and advised Palaia that the search was free, voluntary and he could refuse. He said Palaia related that he would agree, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Clark stated that Palaia wanted his coat from the trunk. He said when the trunk was open, he noticed an “overwhelming odor” of marijuana. He said a glass jar, which contained marijuana, was readily visible. He said that Palaia asked for his jacket to be removed from his brown back pack.
Clark stated that Cpl. Svin Donaldson, of the Pennsylvania State Police, arrived at the location. Clark then began searching the vehicle. He said inside a white plastic bag, he found a large baggie that contained a large amount of processed marijuana.
In addition, Clark said he found a Rave hairspray container. From his training, he said he twisted the bottom of the container and discovered that it was threaded. After removing the bottom, he said he discovered one-fourth ounce of Mushrooms (Psilocybin) in plastic baggies.
He said he discovered a baggie with two vials of what was later determined to be Dimethyltryptamine. He said in the hairspray container, he also found another plastic baggie with a small quality of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD).
Clark said that while searching Palaia’s back pack, he found a small digital scale; dryer sheets, which are commonly used to mask the odor of drugs; a cloth pouch, which contained a glass smoking pipe; and plastic baggies. He said inside the vehicle, he found and seized two small cans of scented spray.