HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Tipton man is behind bars after police said they found him illegally possessing guns and drugs. They said he tried to break into the impound to get them back.
Michael McClellan, 39, is facing charges in two cases following two interactions with police earlier this month.
On May 8, troopers were contacted about a man littering, allowing battery acid to pour into waterways, partying and shooting guns towards a river that fishermen and kayakers often use, charges show.
Around 5:22 p.m., police went to the area and were met by McClellan, who identified himself to troopers. According to the criminal complaint, McClellan had an active warrant and was arrested and searched.
During the search, troopers noted in the complaint that they found live .22LR ammunition in his front right pocket. McClellan then allegedly admitted to troopers that he was not allowed to have any firearms. Troopers then noticed two rifles in plain view in the back of a truck along with a glass smoking device and more ammunition inside the truck.
Troopers asked McClellan if they could search the truck, however, he declined and it was subsequently towed, troopers noted in the affidavit.
On May 9, troopers searched the vehicle at an impound lot and found the following:
- Six empty plastic baggies with drug residue
- A green scale labeled “ice” with drug residue
- A 9mm live round
- A plastic bag containing methamphetamine
- A plastic container containing methamphetamine
- Seven pills labeled “970”
- Two orange pills labeled “970” and pill bottle
- Six pills labeled “w22”
- A green glass smoking device
- Eight plastic baggies containing fentanyl
- 37.22LR rounds
- Two additional 9mm live rounds
- One 38 special live round
- One 38 Smith and Wesson live round
- A black lock box and black container
- 10 Hypodermic needles
On May 12, troopers learned a section of the fence at the impound lot had been cut using bolt cutters, according to the criminal complaint. Those bolt cutters were later found by police in the back seat of the truck.
Troopers watched surveillance footage from May 10 and saw a vehicle arrive at a nearby parking lot around 2:47 a.m. By 3:17 a.m. troopers said the vehicle leaves and there is a visible cut to the fence in the footage, according to the charges filed.
Police also monitored a phone call between McClellan and an inmate at Blair County Prison shortly after his arrest. According to the criminal complaint, McClelland allegedly admitted to going to get his truck and calmed there was “Only a half ounce” in it.
Police noted that the phone call was monitored for an unrelated reason between McClelland and the inmate.
McClellan is facing two felony counts of prohibited possession of a firearm, a felony count of drug delivery, and a misdemeanor for possessing an unrelated controlled substance and using drugs for his May 8 case.
He’s also facing misdemeanors for trespassing through an enclosed fence, two counts of tampering with evidence, criminal mischief and a felony burglary count for May 10.
Bail was denied due to no money amount will ensure that he would show up for his court dates. He is currently in the Huntingdon County Jail.
He has preliminary hearings for both cases on May 22.