CLEARFIELD – The preliminary hearings for a 28-year-old Allport man who has been accused in two, separate drug cases were continued by Magisterial District Judge Jerome M. Nevling during Centralized Court Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
In the first case, Christopher Edward Patrick, 28, of Allport is facing charges of manufacture/deliver/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver controlled substance; use/possession of drug paraphernalia; and intentional possession of controlled substance by person not registered.
In a second case, he’s been charged with manufacture/deliver/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility. Patrick is free after posting $75,000 bail.
Defense attorney Philip M. Masorti, Esq. of Masorti & Donaldson PC, State College, sought the continuance, as the defendant had retained him one-hour prior to the hearing. He said he hadn’t thoroughly reviewed the criminal complaint and wasn’t prepared to proceed.
First Assistant District Attorney Beau M. Grove opposed the continuance. He said the commonwealth was prepared to proceed with the case. However, Nevling granted a one-week continuance and rescheduled Patrick’s hearing for Oct. 24 after Trooper Craig M. Needham of the Punxsutawney-based state police verified he could attend.
According to the affidavit of probable cause for the first case, on Thursday Needham arrived at Patrick’s residence to conduct a search warrant of his residence and property. Shortly thereafter, Patrick arrived at which time he freely consented to the search. He subsequently advised Needham that he had 12 marijuana plants growing on the property, as well as some processed marijuana and paraphernalia in the trailer/garage and other places on his property.
Needham, alongside the Troop C Vice Unit, conducted the search during which they found approximately 20 pounds of processed marijuana, 12, live marijuana plants and numerous amounts of marijuana smoking devices; these were located on or inside the property, garage, residence and vehicles. In addition, they found numerous rifles and pistols and a loaded, .22-caliber Smith & Wesson rifle in the truck, which he’d been operating.
This evidence was photographed in its original location and subsequently seized. It was transported to the Clearfield-based state police barracks and tested positive for marijuana. The seized items were placed into evidence. Afterward, a lab analysis was requested for the marijuana, which will be sent to the Erie Crime Lab for further analysis.
According the affidavit of probable cause in the second case, on Nov. 2, 2011, Needham was in contact with a confidential informant who had been in contact with Patrick by phone. The informant advised that the defendant would sell one-quarter ounce of marijuana for $60. The informant would be meeting Patrick near the Summit Grange Hall by the Morrisdale Airport to purchase marijuana. Needham and the informant went to meet Patrick.
After arriving, they watched the defendant pull in; he backed up next to the driver’s side window. Needham provided the informant with $60 to purchase the marijuana. The informant spoke to the defendant at which time Needham observed Patrick reach into the dash. He told the informant, “I got your stuff right here” and handed the informant a plastic baggie. Afterward, the informant handed Patrick the $60 for the marijuana.
The informant turned the baggie of marijuana over to the Needham upon re-entering their vehicle. Needham said it looked like “pretty good stuff” to which Patrick agreed. The informant and Patrick continued to converse for approximately three minutes. During the conversation, the defendant said he had a guy who was getting a shipment of medical marijuana, “blueberry kush” and he’d expect it later in the month. Needham and the informant said they would be interested in getting about an ounce if the price was right. Patrick said he would be in touch with them.
The evidence was transported to the Clearfield-based state police and logged into evidence. It was sent to the Erie Crime Lab for drug analysis, which revealed that it contained marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.