OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — A second Venango County man is facing charges after the alleged exchange of methamphetamine for an air rifle.
Oil City Police filed the following charges against 50-year-old Stephen M. Spence, of Oil City, on January 4, at Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office:
- Criminal Conspiracy Engaging — Intentional Possession of Controlled Substance, Felony
- Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
According to a criminal complaint filed by Oil City Police Patrolman Deloe, the investigation began 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 Deloe, Patrolman Ruditis, 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 Steven Spence 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 Spence. Boyer was taken into custody at that time.
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.
Based on the investigation, Spence was arraigned at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 6, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office.
Unable to post $10,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, with Judge Fish presiding.
Case Against Boyer
Boyer faces a preliminary hearing on January 9, on the following charges:
- 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
He remains lodged in the Venango County Jail after failing to post $25,000.00 cash bail.
It’s unclear if charges will be filed against the driver of the vehicle.
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