CLEARFIELD – A jury of seven women and five men deliberated for approximately 19 minutes Friday morning before finding a DuBois man guilty of selling methamphetamine.
Douglas C. Bundy, 48, was found guilty of felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, plus misdemeanor intentional possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. prosecuted the case on behalf of the commonwealth, and Bundy was represented by defense attorney Joseph Ryan of Reynoldsville.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred around 7:15 p.m. June 12, 2018 in the area of West Weber Avenue in DuBois City, according to Officer Zayne Rhed.
While on routine patrol, he observed two males engaged in a mutual conversation. One male was sitting on a four-wheeler while the other was standing next to it.
Rhed said he identified both males and approached Bundy because he was driving a four-wheeler on the railroad tracks. The male with Bundy asked if he was free to go, and was released from the scene.
As he conversed with Bundy, Rhed said he observed multiple pouches attached to the four-wheeler, including one that was unzipped.
He asked Bundy what he would find if he looked inside the pouch and Bundy replied “tools.” Bundy then disconnected the pouch, handed it over to Rhed and stated “look.”
Inside the pouch, Rhed located two baggies of methamphetamine; two glass pipes used for smoking methamphetamine; one glass pipe used for smoking marijuana; and $427 in cash.
Rhed said he asked Bundy why he’d met the other male there, at which point he admitted to having sold him a half-gram of methamphetamine for $80.
As part of his investigation, Rhed packaged the evidence and it was mailed to the Pennsylvania State Police Erie Regional Crime Laboratory for further analysis.
He said the report indicated the crystalized substance was positive for the presence of methamphetamine. It also had a gross weight of 7.85 grams.
In closing, Ryan said the defense agreed with most of what the commonwealth had to say in court. He said Bundy undoubtedly was in possession of methamphetamine and glass pipes.
“We’re here to challenge the charge of possession with intent to deliver,” he said, “and we’re asking you all to keep your common sense with you in your deliberations.”
Ryan argued that the only evidence presented to support the felony drug charge were two baggies of meth, three glass smoking pipes and $427 in cash.
He pointed out that the officer didn’t find Bundy in possession of any smaller baggies, items used to cut up and package methamphetamine or any scales.
“If they really thought he was dealing drugs in the City of DuBois, I can assure you there would have been further investigation,” Ryan said.
Shaw said Bundy was dealing drugs and trying to be a “wise guy” by telling police he had tools. “Yea, there were tools [in his pouch]; tools that druggies use.
“Then, you have the money in the pouch with the drugs … It’s up to you guys now, but you got drugs, money and an admission to police.”
