DUBOIS – Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. announced today that two men have been arrested as a result of a drug investigation conducted by the Clearfield County Drug Task Force, Office of Attorney General and the DuBois City Police Department. Shaw identified the defendants as Vernon Duncan, 26, of Philadelphia, and Damon Seldon, 30, of Quarry Avenue, DuBois.
On Tuesday, Officer Randall Young of the DuBois City Police Department filed a criminal complaint, charging Duncan with possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; criminal conspiracy/possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; criminal use of a communication facility; possession of a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Young filed a separate criminal complaint, charging Seldon with criminal conspiracy/possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An affidavit of probable cause filed with the complaints provides that in February, the DuBois City Police Department, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Clearfield County Drug Task Force began an investigation into the sale of narcotics and marijuana from a residence in DuBois City. On Feb. 5, an undercover agent allegedly purchased $80 worth of marijuana from Duncan inside the residence on Quarry Avenue. Additional purchases of controlled substances were allegedly arranged with Duncan via text messages on his cellular telephone.
The affidavit alleges that a second purchase of controlled substances was made on Feb. 14. On that date, an undercover agent purchased $250 worth of cocaine and marijuana from Duncan at the residence on Quarry Avenue. Seldon was present in the residence at the time of the sale of the controlled substances. The affidavit also alleges that a third purchase of controlled substances was arranged via text message with Duncan. And, on March 4, an undercover agent purchased $325 worth of cocaine and marijuana from Duncan.
The criminal complaint states that on March 5, officers from the DuBois City Police Department, Clearfield County Drug Task Force Officers, the Pennsylvania State Police and agents from the Attorney General’s Office conducted a search on the residence on Quarry Avenue. Both Duncan and Seldon were present at the time of the search of the apartment. As a result of the search, cocaine, marijuana, two firearms and multiple pieces of drug paraphernalia were located.
Duncan and Seldon were arraigned on the charges and bail for each was established at $100,000. Preliminary hearings have been scheduled for March 15.
Shaw stated, “We are increasing our efforts to identify, investigate and prosecute drug dealers in our community. We are using every investigative technique available to stop this criminal conduct. We have improved our surveillance techniques and make use of informants, eavesdropping and monitoring of electronic communication.”
Shaw was pleased with the efforts of law enforcement to investigate this case and file criminal charges. He thanked Attorney General Kathleen Kane and agents from the Attorney General’s Office who have been working on the case. Shaw also thanked the DuBois City Police Department, the Clearfield County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police Canine Division and the DuSan Ambulance.
Anyone with knowledge of a fugitive’s location is asked to call Clearfield County Crime Stoppers at (800)-376-4700. All calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site at “www.ClearfieldDA.org” and selecting “Report A Crime.”