WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A Falls Creek man has been accused of prohibited firearms, drug possession, and related charges stemming from a search warrant executed on a residence in Falls Creek, in Washington Township, Jefferson County.
Online court documents indicate that criminal charges were filed against 23-year-old Austin J. Smith, of Falls Creek.
According to a criminal complaint, around 6:00 a.m. on June 24, 2016, PSP S.E.R.T. (Special Emergency Response Team) conducted a search warrant on a residence at 356 Beechtree Road, in Washington Township, Jefferson County.
The complaint states that “(Austin Smith)…was found sleeping in the bedroom of the residence….A total of 13 firearms were located within the bedroom and closet outside of the bedroom. Also located in the bedroom were several ounces of processed marijuana.” A known female was also in the residence.
“A safe was located in the basement of the residence…containing the following items: numerous bags and jars of processed marijuana; several bags of suspected marijuana wax; suspected crystal methamphetamine; several items of paraphernalia; a large amount of U.S. currency; and several boxes of ammunition,” according to the complaint.
During an interview at PSP-DuBois station, Smith told officers “that he had bought (most of the guns) online. He related that he had been arrested in the state of Utah for drugs and was not to possess firearms any longer,” the complaint indicates.
It was discovered during the investigation that “(Smith) was arrested for a felony in the state of Utah in 2014. Austin pleaded guilty to a felony charge and his maximum penalty in Utah could have been up to five years in prison….Consequently, “(Smith) was a person not to possess in Pennsylvania,” the complaint continues.
Court documents indicate a criminal complaint was filed on August 18 against Smith in District Judge David B. Inzana’s office.
He was arraigned on the following charges:
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony (four counts)
- Possession Of Firearm Prohibited, Felony 2 (13 counts)
- Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
Unable to post $100,000.00 monetary bail, Smith was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on September 8 in front of Judge Inzana.
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