CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of selling marijuana waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during Centralized Court at the Clearfield County Jail.
Christopher A. Strunk, 21, of Clearfield has been charged with four counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and two counts each of intentional possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility.
Strunk was charged July 20 by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General as a result of its joint investigation with the Clearfield County Drug Task Force. Strunk’s bail has been set at $25,000 monetary, and he remains incarcerated on the charges at the jail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on July 31, 2014, an agent and confidential informant made a controlled purchase of approximately 3.30 grams of marijuana from Strunk for $50.
On the date in question, the agent had telephone contact with the CI. At the direction of the agent, the CI allegedly had previous phone contact with Strunk on July 29 and July 31 about being able to purchase a “slice,” or about 3.5 grams of marijuana.
At approximately 1:49 p.m., the CI arrived at an area police station to meet the agent. The CI and agent had previously discussed the CI arranging a controlled purchase of marijuana for $50 from Strunk.
At approximately 1:59 p.m., the CI text-messaged Strunk telling him that they were on their way to a previously set up location at the Clearfield Mall. Police followed the agent and the CI’s vehicle to the mall.
At the mall, the agent and police allegedly observed a vehicle known to be operated by Strunk parked near Peebles. When they drove over to the vehicle the agent immediately recognized Strunk.
At approximately 2:08 p.m., the agent provided the CI with $50. The CI exited, walked over to and then entered Strunk’s vehicle. At approximately 2:12 p.m., the agent observed the CI exit Strunk’s vehicle and re-enter their vehicle.
Upon re-entering their vehicle, the CI handed the agent a Newport cigarette pack with cellophane over the top half of the box. Strunk departed the mall parking lot, and the agent obtained his Pennsylvania registration information for his vehicle.
When the agent opened the cigarette box there was allegedly a bag containing a green vegetable material, approximately 3.5 grams of suspected marijuana. The CI told the agent that they purchased it directly from Strunk for $50, and there wasn’t anyone else in the vehicle.
On Aug. 6, 2014, the agent had phone contact with the CI. The agent directed the CI to arrange for the agent to purchase $100 worth of marijuana from Strunk the next day, which the CI did.
At approximately 10:48 a.m., agents met for a debriefing for the undercover purchase of $100 worth of marijuana from Strunk. Between 10:58 a.m. and 11:14 a.m., the agent allegedly had phone contact with Strunk to see if they were still on to which Strunk said, “Yeah man no problem.”
The agent asked about meeting at the mall at 11:30 a.m. and if Strunk would be in the same “whip.” Strunk replied to the agent, “Yup.” The agent then departed to meet Strunk and was followed by another agent.
Upon arrival the second agent set up surveillance from the Peebles parking lot. The other agent parked in front of the Ollie’s store but closer to Peebles to wait for Strunk.
At approximately 11:27 a.m., the agent allegedly observed Strunk arriving at the intersection and proceeding straight to enter the Clearfield Mall parking lot. Strunk drove by the agent with his windows down and parked about two rows behind the agent’s vehicle.
The agent exited their vehicle and walked to the passenger’s side of Strunk’s vehicle. The agent told Strunk that they were a friend of the CI. Strunk then retrieved a Pringles can from the back seat, which he opened, and the agent observed that it had a smaller container inside.
Strunk allegedly retrieved two, small bags, which contained green vegetable material and put them on the front passenger’s seat, stating it was different marijuana from that on the July 31 purchase.
The agent allegedly observed the two bags of suspected marijuana, reached inside the window and retrieved them. The agent then handed Strunk $100 and concealed the two bags of suspected marijuana in his pants pocket.
The agent told Strunk that the CI hadn’t told him his name. Strunk told the agent it was Chris, and the agent shook his hand. Strunk then asked the agent if they ever wanted to “smoke a bowl” sometime and if they lived near the CI. The agent told Strunk that they lived in DuBois.
The agent asked Strunk if they could get more marijuana from him. Strunk told the agent that he had more available, and all they had to do was call him. When the agent stated that DuBois was “dry” Strunk agreed, and the agent indicated they’d call him for additional marijuana.
The agent later field tested one of the two bags of suspected marijuana purchased from Strunk. The field test yielded positive results for the presence of marijuana. Further analysis of the suspected marijuana indicated 3.5 grams was purchased July 31, 2014 and 6.57 grams on Aug. 7, 2014.
