2nd man arrested on drug charges
A second man has been arrested on drug charges after suspected heroin, marijuana and Ecstasy were found following a search of a vehicle stopped last year in South Strabane Township.
Michael Kevin Stuart, 26, of Pittsburgh, was spotted by state police in the early hours of Oct. 6, 2013, driving at a high speed on Interstate 79 southbound near the Meadow Lands exit. Police said he was clocked driving 80 mph in a 55-mph zone.
Police stopped the vehicle after it got off at the Murtland Avenue exit. Police said they noticed Stuart’s pockets were bulging when he got out of the vehicle for a sobriety test, and that they found a small bag of suspected marijuana, a digital scale, a cellphone, cash and sunglasses.
When police checked his records, they learned he was wanted by Pittsburgh police on burglary charges. Stuart waived immediate arraignment and was taken into custody by Pittsburgh police at Washington Hospital, where he was taken so blood could be drawn for chemical testing.
A passenger in the vehicle, Steven Lamont Abram, 24, of Verona, was in possession of more than $1,000 and suspected marijuana, police said.
Police obtained a search warrant for the vehicle later that morning, and they said the suspected drugs and paraphernalia were found in the trunk.
Abram was arrested on drug charges Oct. 27.
Stuart was arraigned Saturday night before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin, marijuana and Ecstasy, possession of paraphernalia, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, disregarding traffic lanes and speeding. He was placed in Washington County jail on $20,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 24 before District Judge Jay Weller.