CLEARFIELD – A Curwensville woman accused of twice selling suboxone pills to an undercover state trooper waived her right to a preliminary hearing in both cases during Centralized Court Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
In the first case, Shaolin Rae Caldwell, 29, of Curwensville is facing charges of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and criminal use of a communication facility. In a second case, she’s charged with criminal conspiracy/manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; and criminal use of a communication facility. Her bail has been set at $50,000 monetary in each case.
According to the affidavits of probable cause Trooper Jared K. Thomas is a member of the Troop C Vice Unit at the Punxsutawney-based state police. He works undercover investigating violations of the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
At approximately 1 p.m. May 5, 2011, he contacted a state police confidential informant. The CI advised that they could arrange for Thomas to purchase suboxone from Caldwell. Thomas met with the CI at approximately 3:35 p.m. at which point the CI related Caldwell was supposed to be at her boyfriend’s apartment behind the Bob’s Army & Navy store in Clearfield Borough.
The CI and Thomas went to the apartment, and no one answered the door. The CI began texting and calling Caldwell. At around 4:28 p.m., Caldwell called the CI on their cellular phone and informed them that she was en route to the Snappy’s Convenience Store in Lawrence Township. Caldwell told them that they could meet her in the parking lot there.
At approximately 4:45 p.m., the CI recognized Caldwell’s vehicle and walked over to it. The CI spoke to Caldwell briefly after which she drove over to the passenger’s side of Thomas’ undercover state police vehicle.
The CI entered the rear, passenger seat, while Caldwell entered the front sent. Then, Caldwell allegedly reached into her purse and pulled out an orange pill bottle. Thomas observed Caldwell’s name on the pill bottle.
Caldwell counted out five pills. Thomas asked if he could have five more to which Caldwell said she could only give him seven pills. Caldwell allegedly handed Thomas seven hexagon-shaped suboxone pills, which were orange with “N8” on one side and a “cross” on the other. Thomas placed the suboxone pills in the center console and handed Caldwell $140 in official funds. Caldwell then returned to her vehicle.
On May 31, 2011, Thomas contacted Caldwell via text message to arrange the purchase of suboxone pills for the next day. At 2 p.m. June 1, 2011, Caldwell sent a text message to Thomas, saying she could meet him in approximately a half-hour at the truck stop. She told Thomas that she only had a five-day supply of suboxone pills, but she would still be able to sell him some. At approximately 2:50 p.m., Thomas arrived at the truck stop and parked beside the vehicle, where Caldwell was a passenger. Caldwell allegedly handed Thomas two, hexagon-shaped suboxone pills that were orange. One side had an “N8” marking; the other had a “cross.” Thomas handed the driver $30 of official funds, which was then handed to Caldwell.
On June 6, 2011, the evidence was shipped to the Erie Regional Laboratory, where it was received the following day. On Nov. 14, 2011, the evidence was analyzed and the markings on the pills were consistent with that of Buprenorphine. One pill was tested and contained Buprenorphine, a Schedule III narcotic.
