According to police, on Thursday Mahanoy Township Police Chief Brandon Alexander
filed charges against Marvin Houtz, 61, and Shawn Murphy, 31, both of Shenandoah after they were found with methamphetamine, marijuana, hash, THC oil and drug paraphernalia while sitting in a car in St. Fidelis Cemetery near Mahanoy City
Alexander said while on patrol and he noticed a suspicious vehicle with two males parked in a cemetery. When Alexander approached the men, they began to act nervous and he asked if they had any weapons on them. Murphy admitted to having a loaded gun in their waistband. After securing the weapon and Murphy, Houtz was found to be in possession of $1,792 and 12 grams of methamphetamine.
Alexander asked if they had anything else in the vehicle and they admitted to having marijuana and they consented to a vehicle search.
A vehicle search led to the finding of a book bag. The bag contained 2 large bags of marijuana weighing approximately 3 pounds, 1 large bag of hash, 14 tubes of THC oil, empty bags, a pipe, and a cut straw.
In all, the street value of all the drugs collected was about $3,100.
Both were taken into custody with Houtz being charged with possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and trespassing with a motor vehicle.
Murphy was charged with possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both were to be arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kilker Thursday evening.
Mahanoy Township Police was assisted by Mahanoy City Police, Frackville Police, West Mahanoy Township Police, Shenandoah Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Skook News will have video on Friday from when we spoke to Chief Alexander about the arrests.
