CLEARFIELD – District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. announced today Clearfield County’s Fugitive of the Week for the week of Oct. 27.
Shaw identified the fugitive as James Robert Smeal, 23, of Spruce Street, Woodland. Smeal is wanted for failure to appear at a preliminary hearing on July 16.
On June 3, Trooper Dennis Peters of the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield barracks, filed a criminal complaint against Smeal. He charged him with possession of a controlled substance; use or possession of drug paraphernalia; driving under the influence of a controlled substance; registration and certificate of title required; driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked; driving on roadways laned for traffic; stop signs and yield signs; careless driving; and restraint systems.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on May 18, state police were on routine patrol in the area of state Route 879 in Goshen Township. Troopers observed the operator of a vehicle fail to stop for a posted stop sign.
The operator was observed crossing over into the oncoming lane of travel when turning onto SR 879. Further, the operator was observed crossing over the center double yellow lines and solid white line several times while traveling on the roadway.
Upon making contact with the operator, state police detected signs of impairment and requested that Smeal perform field sobriety tests. State police also observed drug paraphernalia on the dashboard of the vehicle, as well as a small plastic bag with controlled substances on the floor directly behind the driver’s seat. After being administered the field sobriety tests, Smeal was transported to the Clearfield Penn Highlands for blood testing.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for July 16, at which time Smeal failed to appear and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Smeal is described as a Caucasian male who stands 5 feet, 10 inches tall. He has hazel eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with knowledge of Smeal’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.”
