CLEARFIELD – An Allport man has been accused of selling methamphetamine.
James M. Dillen Sr., 48, has been charged with four felony counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, two felony counts of criminal use of a communication facility and two misdemeanor counts each of intentional possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Wednesday Dillen waived his right to a preliminary hearing during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. Bail has been set at $50,000 unsecured.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Oct. 4, 2016, an undercover officer was working as a member of the North-Central Strike Force Unit. The officer used a confidential informant to contact Dillen and arrange a controlled purchase of methamphetamine.
Through text messages, Dillen agreed to meet the CI at the Minit Mart, located on the Morrisdale-Allport Highway, to deliver one gram of methamphetamine for $100. Other officers set up nearby to conduct surveillance.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., the CI was sitting in his vehicle stationary in the parking lot. Dillen was observed on foot and he walked up to the passenger’s side door of the CI’s vehicle. He got inside.
Approximately five minutes later, Dillen got out. The CI then left the lot. The undercover officer left with the CI who provided two small baggies that contained methamphetamine that was allegedly purchased from Dillen.
The officer field tested the substance, which yielded positive results for the presence of methamphetamine. All evidence was logged at the Philipsburg-based state police barracks and sent to the regional laboratory in Harrisburg for further analysis.
Lab results showed the substance was methamphetamine and weighed .83g.
On Jan. 26, 2017, the undercover officer utilized a CI to contact Dillen and arrange the controlled purchase of methamphetamine. The CI called Dillen in the presence of the officer.
The CI asked Dillen if he had any methamphetamine for sale. Dillen asked how much he wanted and stated he’d have to check his residence. Dillen said he would call back the CI.
Other officers set up surveillance again near the Minit Mart until the meeting location was agreed upon. The CI contacted Dillen again. Dillen said he wasn’t at home but was at the store and had some meth on him that he could sell.
The officer instructed the CI to let Dillen know they could meet there. The CI was then provided with $100 for the purchase of one gram of methamphetamine.
At approximately 11:34 a.m., the officer parked at the Minit Mart and observed a Jeep in the lot. The CI had indicated it was Dillen’s vehicle. When the CI pulled in, he parked near Dillen’s vehicle and Dillen approached his driver’s side door window.
He leaned inside briefly and then returned to his Jeep. He left the lot. Officers followed Dillen while the undercover officer met with the CI, who provided a bag of methamphetamine that was allegedly purchased from Dillen.
The officer field tested the methamphetamine and it showed positive results for the presence of methamphetamine.
The evidence was logged at the Philipsburg-based state police barracks and then sent to the regional laboratory in Harrisburg for further analysis. Laboratory results showed the substance was methamphetamine and weighed .25g.
