ASHLAND TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A Punxsutawney man is facing sentencing in two separate cases Wednesday, August 14 – one involving the theft of pain medication from a Clarion County home and a second case related to the theft of methamphetamine precursors.
According to court documents, sentencing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Wednesday for 43-year-old Charles MacKenzie Lenhart of Punxsutawney in front of Clarion County President Judge James G. Arner.
On July 10, Lenhart pleaded guilty in Clarion County Court of Common Pleas to the following charges:
– Possessing phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a precursor substance with intent to unlawfully manufacture, Felony
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Misdemeanor 3
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
– Possessing phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a precursor substance with intent to unlawfully manufacture, Felony
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Deposits, stores, disposes of chemical waste, Felony 3
– Use/Poss Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
Lenhart remains free on $12,000.00 unsecured bail.
Details of the cases
The theft charge was the result of an investigation conducted by Trooper Jones of PSP Clarion concerning a theft that occurred at a house on Camp Coffman Road in Knox, Ashland Township, Clarion County, sometime between Sunday, August 26, 2018, and Friday, August 31, 2018.
According to a criminal complaint, approximately 60 prescription Tramadol pills were taken and consumed by Charles Mackenzie Lenhart.
Trooper Jones arrived on the scene around 4:00 p.m. on August 31 to begin his investigation.
The victim, who is a relative of Lenhart, reported that Lenhart had been staying at her residence since Sunday, August 26, and her prescription bottle of pain medication was empty on Friday, August 31. She said approximately half the bottle, maybe a little less, of her pain medication was left at the time of his arrival on August 26. A full prescription is 120 pills.
The victim reported that she told Lenhart he was allowed to take Tylenol pain medication and showed him where it was located. The prescription medication was located on the kitchen counter.
When talking to police, Lenhart stated that he did take and consume the pills but he thought they were Tylenol medication and not prescribed medication. He also stated that he would leave the residence immediately and stay at a known man’s house for the time being, the complaint stated.
The value of the pills is approximately $35.00.
The charge was filed on Wednesday, February 13, and a summons was issued on Thursday, February 14.
Lenhart Found with Methamphetamine Precursors
According to a second criminal complaint, on August 23, 2018, Trooper Jones of the Clarion-based State Police was assigned to investigate after police received a call from an individual who found “drugs and drug equipment” that the individual believed belonged to Lenhart.
Trooper Jones, along with Corporal Hunsberger and Trooper Fluke, asked Lenhart to speak with them at a location along Ninevah Road in Ashland Township.
According to the complaint, when Lenhart arrived at the location he gave written and verbal consent for the officers to search his vehicle for contraband.
The following items were found inside the vehicle:
- One half-gallon milk jug with tubing inserted in the cap, containing liquid residue
- Two Equate Instant Cold Compresses containing white powder
- One 18-ounce Drano Crystals can containing a green substance
- One one-gallon Coleman Camp Fuel can containing blue-tinted liquid
- One 32-ounce Liquid Lightning Drain Opener bottle containing a clear liquid
- One blue plastic funnel and six coffee filters all containing residue
- One metal spoon
- One plastic straw piece containing white residue
- Three Energizer AAA Ultimate Lithium batteries
- Three containers with residue
- Two plastic pen tubes, three smoking pipes, and one metal keychain container all containing residue
The complaint notes many of the items found are commonly used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
The charges were filed in Magisterial District Judge Amy Long Turk’s office on January 23, 2019.