CLEARFIELD – A man allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop in Clearfield Borough waived his right to a preliminary hearing during Centralized Court on Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
Donald J. Catalone, 24, of Emporium has been charged with manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; intentional possession of a controlled substance; five counts of use/possession of drug paraphernalia; and duties at a stop sign. His bail has been set at $5,000 unsecured.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on April 18 Clearfield Borough police were requested to contact state police at Philipsburg. Police received information that Catalone was working at Sheetz in the borough and allegedly to be in possession of a quarter-pound of marijuana.
Police were told Catalone had the marijuana in a bag inside his vehicle, a Chevy Cobalt. Police were also told that Catalone would be getting off work at 6 a.m. At 6:15 a.m. police allegedly observed Catalone enter his vehicle and when he exited the Sheetz parking lot, he failed to stop at a posted sign.
The Catalone vehicle entered onto Nichols Street and traveled westbound. Police conducted a traffic stop along Nichols and New streets. When police advised Catalone of the traffic violation, he was asked if there were any weapons or drugs inside his vehicle. Catalone said no.
Police checked Catalone through Clearfield County Control and determined there weren’t any warrants for him. Police asked Catalone again if there were any drugs inside his vehicle, and he stated there wasn’t.
At that point, police advised Catalone that there had been a report he had marijuana. Catalone then volunteered to open his trunk and show his duffel bag. When Catalone exited his vehicle, police advised him that he was not being ordered to open his trunk, and that he’d be doing it on his own free will.
Catalone indicated that he understood, opened his trunk and showed police the contents of a duffel bag. Police didn’t observe anything that appeared to be related to drugs.
Due to multiple bags and boxes in the back seat, police inquired further with Catalone. Catalone entered the vehicle and retrieved a backpack, which he opened up. Police allegedly observed a glass bong in plain view, and Catalone handed it to an officer. When asked if there was anything else in the vehicle, Catalone said that was all.
Police then mentioned about a drawstring bag on the front, passenger’s seat. Catalone volunteered to retrieve the bag and handed it to police, saying “look for yourself.” As he handed the bag over, police allegedly detected a strong odor of marijuana.
When police opened the bag, there was allegedly a pink, plastic cup and a digital scale. Below those items, there was allegedly a Tupperware container with a box of baggies; a green, leafy vegetable matter; a four-pack of batteries with two missing; and a multi-colored glass pipe with burnt vegetable matter in a bowl, which produced an odor of marijuana.
Police transported Catalone to the station for an interview. When police asked why he needed a scale, Catalone said he doesn’t and just tossed it in the bag. Catalone allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana but denied he was selling it. When police said the scale makes it look like he’s selling it, Catalone allegedly reiterated it was all for his personal use.
Police pulled out the baggies containing the leafy, vegetable matter. Due to the amount, police asked Catalone how often he smokes marijuana. Catalone allegedly admitted to smoking it seven or eight times a day. When police asked if the amount found weighed a quarter-pound, Catalone allegedly admitted it did, but there was a little less due to him smoking it.
When police asked him the price of a quarter-pound of marijuana, Catalone said roughly $1,000. Catalone allegedly admitted to driving to Pittsburgh monthly or whenever he’s out to buy marijuana; however, he wouldn’t identify his source of marijuana. Police then advised Catalone his cell phone would be seized, as it was believed he was using it for drug transactions.
Based on information extracted from Catalone’s cell phone, police allegedly determined he had bought and or sold marijuana on more than one occasion and referenced an ounce of marijuana as an “O.” As well, a laboratory analysis allegedly determined the leafy, vegetable matter from the two baggies weighed 55.35 grams and was marijuana, a Schedule I Drug.
