OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — A Venango County man is facing charges after he allegedly exchanged methamphetamine for an air rifle.

Oil City Police filed the following charges against 42-year-old Robert H. Boyer, of Oil City, on January 3, at Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office:

• Criminal Conspiracy Engaging — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
• Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
• Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Per Not Registered, Misdemeanor
• Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

According to a criminal complaint filed by Oil City Police Patrolman Larry Drake, the investigation was initiated after police received information related to the suspected transfer of a gun to Robert Boyer, who is prohibited from possessing firearms.

While preparing to execute a search warrant at Boyer’s Walnut Street home, officers observed a vehicle leaving the residence. A traffic stop was conducted and Boyer was found to be in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

Patrolman Drake and Chief Robert Wenner spoke with the driver who stated that the gun delivered on January 2 was an air rifle. He also told the officers that a known man traded the air rifle to Boyer in exchange for methamphetamine.

When police asked the driver why he was at Boyer’s residence, the driver stated that he was there to facilitate the delivery of methamphetamine by Boyer to the known man.

Boyer was subsequently taken into custody. While being transported to the Oil City Police Department, Boyer made unsolicited statements to Patrolman Drake, stating: “I can tell you what’s in my house and where. I’m small level. I do it to support my habit. The only thing is a black box with point of ice, syringes, and scales.”

Officers executed a search on Boyer’s home around 1:42 p.m. and located a black air rifle and a black box containing digital scales, syringes, and a small amount of suspected crystal methamphetamine.

The items, including the air rifle, were photographed and seized as evidence.

Field tests confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine.

Boyer was lodged in the Venango County Jail after failing to post $25,000.00 cash bail.

He faces a preliminary hearing on January 9 at 8:30 a.m. in Venango County Central Court.

It’s unclear if charges will be filed against the other men involved in the transfer.