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Report of dogs in Pennsylvania car results in drug charges

When police responded to a call about three large dogs left in a car with insufficient ventilation, they discovered a lot more. The dogs were seized by Fayette County SPCA and police conducted a routine search of the vehicle. While searching the vehicle police found suspected marijuana-growing paraphernalia including fertilizer, high wattage light bulbs and rolling paper. This discovery prompted the police to contact the owner of the home the vehicle was parked near to get permission to search the residence.

The police conducted the search, in which they discovered illegal guns that allegedly belong to the stepson of the homeowner. The search of the home also revealed large containers that are commonly used for growing marijuana. Authorities also allegedly discovered dirt and shovels, a bong, a machete, a 20-gauge shotgun, a .410-gauge shotgun and several boxes of ammunition. The stepson was arrested and is now facing 20 counts of drug paraphernalia possession, two counts for possessing a firearm, three counts of cruelty to animals, and other drug charges.

Police report that they were able to identify the accused man by pictures that were discovered on memory cards and on his Facebook page. They then discovered that the man was wanted in Tennessee.

The stepmother reported to police that the accused asked where his guns were and she informed her stepson that the guns had been seized by the police. She also states that he admitted owning a sawed off shotgun that he purchased in California and planned to sell in Pennsylvania. The suspect is now being held at the Fayette County Jail and will be formally arraigned July 18.

Drug charges can have serious consequences, including long prison terms, large fines, and the loss of civil rights if one is convicted of a felony. It is important that anyone facing such charges explore all legal options related to defending against them. Police and prosecutors must abide by certain rules with regard to searches for and seizure of evidence, as well as interviews of suspects and witnesses. Enuring one’s legal rights are protected against conviction for a drug charge is necessary to attempt to avoid the consequences of conviction.

Source: Trib Total Media, “Calif. man faces trial on drug, gun charges,” Jeremy Sellew, June 22, 2013

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