OLIVER TWP., Pa. (EYT) – Multiple charges have been filed against a Tennessee man who was caught in Oliver Township in December with a gun he was not legally permitted to possess.
Court documents indicate the Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges against 46-year-old Michael James Hill, of Whitwell, Tennessee.
According to a criminal complaint, around 10:22 a.m. on December 21, 2021, Punxsutawney-based State Police observed a black Dodge RAM 1500 sitting on the south berm of State Route 36 near Millen Road in Oliver Township, Jefferson County, running with two occupants inside.
The trooper stopped to check and see if the occupants needed assistance and noticed that the driver, identified as Michael James Hill, had bloodshot, watery eyes and was speaking rapidly, which are indicators of possible impairment.
According to the complaint, when the trooper patted Hill down, he found a clear glass smoking pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue in Hill’s front right pocket. Hill was then placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia, and his vehicle was impounded. Police then applied for a search warrant for the vehicle.
The search warrant was approved on December 23, and a search of the truck was conducted.
The complaint indicates that the search found a Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless five-shot revolver on the rear passenger floor of the truck, loaded with four live rounds. Police also found a silver and gold bag on the front floor between the driver and passenger seat that contained drug paraphernalia including four used hypodermic needles, two silver metal “bowls” with residue, three plastic baggies with residue, two used cotton swabs, and seven rubber bands.
According to the complaint, Hill is a person who has been convicted of an offense that makes him a person who is not permitted to possess a firearm. He also did not have a proper license for the firearm.
Hill was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock at 9:50 a.m. on January 14 on the following charges:
– Possession of Firearm Prohibited, Felony 2
– Firearms Not to Be Carried Without a License, Felony 3
– Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
– Carrying Loaded Weapon, Summary
He is currently free on $10,000.00 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. on February 1, with Judge Mizerock presiding.
Court documents indicate Hill is also scheduled for a second hearing in front of Judge Mizerock at the same time and date on DUI and other related charges from the incident, which were filed separately.
No information was provided on the passenger in Hill’s vehicle.
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