A Lower Saucon Township man was recently charged with an alleged Firearms Act violation, according to Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast.
In a Jan. 2 news release, police said 29-year-old Justin Ray Petrucelli was driving a 1997 Ford F350 when he was stopped at Packer and W. Berwick streets in Easton around 1 a.m. New Year’s Eve.
The Pennsylvania State Police badge (FILE PHOTO)
The news release cited the alleged Firearms Act violation of altering or obliterating a serial number, “suspicion of DUI and possession of narcotic paraphernalia” as the reasons why Petrucelli was detained by police.
According to a case docket, Petrucelli was subsequently charged with Possessing a Firearm with an Altered Manufacturer’s Number (Felony 2), carrying a firearm without a license (Felony 3), possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), DUI-controlled substance (misdemeanor), driving with a suspended license (summary offense) and a motor vehicle lighting violation (summary offense).
Following a preliminary arraignment before Judge Douglas Schlegel on Dec. 31, Petrucelli was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $50,000 bail, which according to the information in the docket had not been posted as of Jan. 5.
A preliminary hearing for Petrucelli is scheduled to be held Monday, Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. before Judge Daniel Corpora in Northampton County District Court 03-2-06, according to the docket.
No attorney for Petrucelli was listed.
Note: All individuals arrested or charged/cited by police are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using information from the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop M, Belfast barracks and Northampton County court records.