According to court documents, Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges against 38-year-old Jason Bingaman, of Indiana County, and 20-year-old Shianne Elizabeth Aaron, of Mayport.
According to a criminal complaint, on December 14, 2015, around 1:30 p.m., Jefferson County Probation Officers Arthur Young and Michael Cook, along with Officer Vincent Markle, of the Brookville Police Department, conducted a “knock and talk” at the residence of 40 Richards Street, in Brookville Borough. Jefferson County Probation had an active warrant for Cameron McTague who was believed to be residing at this address.
The complaint indicates that upon knocking on the front door, Officers Young, Cook, and Markle observed a plastic bottle on the kitchen floor with plastic tubing coming out of the top of it. Officers also observed McTague lying on the living room couch. Officers called for McTague who came to the front door and was taken into custody based on the warrant.
Officer Markle contacted a known woman by cell phone and advised her of their suspicions regarding the methamphetamine related items observed on the kitchen. The known woman arrived at the scene and gave Officer Markle written consent to search the residence for drugs. During the search, officers encountered Jason Bingaman walking down the stairs, the complaint states.
Officers “located the following methamphetamine related items inside the residence:
- Cans of Coleman Fuel, found in the dining room area
- Bottle of Lye, found in the dining room area
- Lithium batteries, found in the dining room area
- Zip lock bags with white powder, found in the dining room area
- Cold compress packs
- plastic bottle with tubing and white substance inside, found in the kitchen area
- Gatorade bottle with brown liquid and metal flakes ‘boiling,’ found in the upstairs bedroom”
“Due to their training, Officers Young, Cook, and Markle believed they had encountered an active meth lab and secured the residence and occupants,” the complaint continues.
The complaint indicates that a search warrant was executed at 6:15 p.m. on December 14 by Trooper Craig Needham, of PSP Punxsutawney, and members of the Clandestine Laboratory Response Team.
The complaint states “an active ‘one pot’ methamphetamine reaction vessel (Gatorade bottle) was located inside one of the upstairs bedrooms on the floor near the top of the stairs. Numerous precursor items used for making methamphetamine and related paraphernalia were found in the kitchen, dining room, and living room downstairs.”
These items were entered into evidence and processed by members of the PA State Police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team and were subsequently transported to the Erie Crime Lab by Forensic Scientist Brett A. Bailor.
On January 12, 2016, Officer Needham received the lab results from the Erie Crime Lab for the evidence seized in this case. The results are summarized as follows:
“The items seized in this case contain all of the precursors and reagents required to manufacture methamphetamine from pseudophedrine via the ‘one pot’ method. In addition, the following controlled substances were found:
- .67 grams of methamphetamine powder, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Liquid weighing 974 grams and containing petroleum distillates and methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Contents of a Gatorade bottle containing petroleum distillates, a reactive metal, sodium hydroxide, pseudophedrine, and methamphetamine weighing 726.45 grams, a Schedule II Controlled Substance”
According to the complaint, Shianne Aaron, Cameron McTague, and a known woman (a witness) were interviewed.
All three individuals provided statements that Jason Bingaman was at the scene when the police knocked on the door and that he had fled undetected.
The known woman also provided statements that she has given Bingaman Sudafed pills. Aaron identified a plastic tote found in the dining room area that belonged to Bingaman which contained numerous precursors used in making methamphetamine.
Bingaman was arraigned at 10:03 a.m. on January 28 in front of Magisterial Judge Gregory M. Bazylak and charged with the following offenses:
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
- Conspiracy – Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
- Operating a Methamphetamine Lab, Felony 2
- Deposits, Stores, Disposes Chemical Waste, Felony 3, two counts
- Possession Red Phosphorus, etc w/ Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substance, Felony
- Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
- Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
Unable to post $100,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 4 with Judge Bazylak presiding.
According to court documents the following charges against 20-year-old Shianne Elizabeth Aaron, of Mayport, were transferred to Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
- Possession Red Phosphorus, etc w/Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substance, Felony
- Operating a Methamphetamine Lab, Felony 2
- Conspiracy – Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
- Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
- Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
On January 12, 2016, bail for Aaron was changed from $125,000.00 monetary to $50,000.00 unsecured.
Jury Selection for Aaron’s case is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on June 13, 2016, with President Judge John H. Foradora presiding.