CLEARFIELD – Four Clearfield men, who have been accused in a synthetic drug bust, were scheduled for preliminary hearings during centralized court Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
Romello L. Weber, 19, was charged with manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, F; intentional possession of a controlled substance, M; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, M.
Rick A. Schreffler, 34, was charged with conspiracy/manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, F; tamper with physical evidence, M2; intentional possession of a controlled substance, M; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, M.
Leland James Mohney, 19, was charged with manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, F; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, F1; and intentional possession of a controlled substance, M.
Michael A. Kane, 19, was charged with conspiracy/manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, F; intentional possession of a controlled substance, M; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty to use/possession of drug paraphernalia, M.
Weber and Schreffler waived their rights to preliminary hearings, and bail was set at $10,000 unsecured in their cases. Online court records list Mohney’s case as “inactive.”
The charges stem from an investigation by Officer Daniel W. Podliski of the Clearfield Borough police into the manufacture and distribution of K2.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on July 22, 2016, Podliski was on patrol when he observed Weber and Schreffler enter The Herb Place, located at 207 S. Third St., Clearfield.
Podliski had received reports about both men manufacturing K2, also known as “Poop.” He subsequently contacted the owner of the business.
The store owner said the men, along with a couple others, have purchased numerous amounts of herbs and tea leaves. She also suspected they were making K2 or Spice.
Podliski was provided with a log of their purchases. Weber and Schreffler were allegedly in about every other day to purchase several ounces of various herbs and tea.
While inside the store, Podliski observed the various herbs and teas on display. He found all closely resembled marijuana and K2 based upon his experience with drug arrests.
According to the affidavit, Weber and Schreffler were in the store one to three times weekly. They were allegedly purchasing three to seven ounces each time.
Podliski found their quantities had been increasing from May until the date in question. The owner told Podliski her change in purchases of Raspberry tea was due to the men buying it all. She also said she’s refused to put more out and suspected they were making K2.
On Aug. 15, 2016, police executed a search warrant at an apartment at 108 S. Second St., Clearfield. Police knocked and announced their presence two times. There wasn’t any response, and police forced entry.
Upon making entry, Podliski observed three males in the living room. Co-defendant, Evan D. Schenk, was seated on the couch closest to the door; Kane was seated on the far side of the couch. Mohney was standing in the middle of the room. Schreffler was observed exiting the bathroom area. All four males were subsequently detained by police.
Another officer informed Podliski that the toilet had recently been flushed, and it was still running. Podliski said based upon his experience, people who are in possession of illegal drugs are known to flush them to dispose of evidence.
Kane and Mohney appeared to be under the influence of controlled substances. They were released to sober adults. During a pat down, Mohney was allegedly found to be in possession of a pipe commonly used to inhale drugs.
A search of Mohney also turned up a small baggy containing several pills. The pills were identified as Clonazepam and Oxycodone. Mohney was also found to be in possession of $245, according to the affidavit.
Kane was allegedly found to be in possession of a pipe commonly used to inhale controlled substances.
During a search of the residence, police located numerous small clear baggies used to package drugs for distribution; several pieces of foil with burn residue; eight, loose Seroquel pills; a black box containing a one hitter, safety pin and wire; a baggy containing a green leafy substance; and a large pipe.
Police also executed a second search warrant at Weber’s residence, located at 206 E. Walnut St., Clearfield. Police were searching the garage’s attic, and asked a woman who’s been known to hang out there. She said Weber is the only one.
Police allegedly located a cooking sheet with a green leafy substance on it. They also located several containers of Acetone, which is used to cook K2; numerous small baggies used to package drugs for distribution; and a pipe made from foil.
Police also located a large bag of a green leafy substance; baggies containing scullcap and marjoram, which are similar to the herbs purchased by Weber; a piece of paper containing names, locations and dollar amounts; and a small toaster oven with green, leafy residue.
On Aug. 15, 2016, Schreffler was interviewed by police. He said prior to police entering the apartment, he, Schenk, Kane and Mohney were all smoking K2.
According to him, the bag under the couch and the large pipe belonged to Mohney. The black box containing the one hitter was his own, he said. He also took ownership of the Seroquel pills and said he had a prescription for them.
When police asked Schreffler what he’d flushed prior to police entry, he initially said he’d just used the toilet. Later, he admitted to flushing a small amount of K2 that he had in his hand.
Schreffler said anytime he purchased leaves from the herb store, it was at the request of Weber. He said Weber hasn’t made K2 at his residence, and he’s never made it or seen it being made.
However, he told police that they sprayed it with a chemical and paint thinner. Then, it gets baked.
He said he’s purchased K2 from Weber for $5 per gram, and he used about four grams daily. Schreffler said Weber cooked about one to two ounces of K2 daily.
Podliski completed testing of the green leafy substance found in Schreffler’s apartment. It tested positive for the presence of synthetic cannabinoids and weighed approximately 17.7 grams.
On Aug. 16, 2016, Weber was interviewed by police. He claimed the acetone was for paint supplies. Podliski told Weber it was a latex paint in the attic, and it didn’t require acetone. Weber, however, denied manufacturing synthetic drugs.
Mohney agreed to speak to police briefly before requesting an attorney. He said the substance found in the bag was Damiana leaf, which Podliski knows to be the “preferred leaf” for K2 makers and users. Mohney also said he used the drug to help him sleep.
Kane also agreed to speak with police. He said he didn’t know who the leaf belonged to, and claimed he hadn’t been smoking prior to police entry. However, he said he may have smoked earlier than that, and he only used it occasionally.
Kane also told police that the pipe found in his pocket was used to smoke K2.
Police sent evidence to the Erie crime Laboratory for analysis. The metal pan found in Weber’s attic showed the presence of synthetic cannabinoids. The green, leafy substance belonging to Mohney weighed 15.21 grams and also showed that it contained synthetic cannabinoids.
Schenk was also charged with conspiracy/manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, F, and intentional possession of a controlled substance, M. He previously waived his charges to court, and his bail has been set at $25,000 monetary.
