Franklin Man Allegedly Forges Police Letterhead, Tampers with Records Regarding Morphine Tablets

| January 11, 2017

crime photoFRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – A Franklin man has been charged with forgery and tampering with records after an investigation by Franklin-based State Police.

According to online court documents, Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 53-year-old Terry Allen Newman, of Franklin.

According to a criminal complaint, State Police say Newman was allegedly trying to use forged letterhead from the Sugarcreek Police Department, to show that the department had destroyed 40 15mg morphine tablets that Newman had supposedly turned in.

The complaint states that the Pain Spine Aesthetic Wellness Center in Hermitage, Pa., contacted Police Chief Matt Carlson, of the Sugarcreek Police Department, about a fax it had received from a Sugarcreek store. The fax had a Sugarcreek Police Department letterhead on it and stated “On August 20 we destroyed 40 15mg morphine tablets that Mr. Newman turned into this office (signed) Chief Matt Carlson Atten Christina Cole.”

Chief Carlson advised that neither he nor anyone acting on his behalf completed the writing on the department letterhead, the complaint continues.

Chief Carlson advised that Terry Newman is known to him, “as Newman is involved with the Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department and has received flares from the police department.” Chief Carlson said that “Newman has received Sugarcreek Police Department letterhead in the past when the letterhead was used as a receipt to document the flares,” the complaint indicates.

State Tpr. Scott Mohnkern had “obtained surveillance video depicting Newman providing the forged letterhead to (a Sugarcreek store) and paying them to fax it to Pain Spine Aesthetic Wellness Center,” the complaint states.

Trooper Mohnkern interviewed the office manager at the Sugarcreek store who stated he knew Newman as a regular customer, and Newman provided him with a fax and the number to send it to. The office manager said he sent the fax, and Newman paid the fee of $2.16, the complaint indicates.

On December 5, 2016, Tpr. Paul Swatzler interviewed Newman at the Venango County Jail and advised him of his Miranda Rights. Newman agreed to speak with Tpr. Swatzler and signed a form waiving his rights. Swatzler said that Newman made incriminating statements in relation to the alleged forgery, according to the complaint.

Newman was arraigned at 4:35 p.m. on Friday, January 6, in front of District Judge Matthew Kirtland on the following charges:

– Forgery – Unauthorized Act In Writing, Felony 2
– Tamper Records Or Id-Writing, Misdemeanor 1

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for this morning (January 11) at 8:30 a.m. in Venango County Central Court with Judge Kirkland presiding.

Other Charges Filed Against Newman

According to a previous story on explorevenango.com story, Newman is also facing charges regarding the alleged theft of lawn care equipment from the Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department, where he was a member.

Newman entered a not guilty plea on October 13, and then he was denied entry into the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition program on November 14.

Newman is scheduled for a criminal conference for the alleged theft case at 8:00 a.m. on January 23 with the Venango County District Attorney’s office.


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