Lansford Courtresident charged with drug possession

Matthew Melnick, 19, of 407 Lansford Court, faces charges from an incident which took place on May 26 at Centre and Bertsch streets, Lansford. Charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia were filed by Officer Joshua Tom.

According to an affidavit of probable cause: At 10:35 p.m., Tom was on duty when he saw a light tan Ford Mustang being driven in an erratic manner and also having a loud exhaust at the intersection of W. Bertsch and Center streets. He stopped the car on W. Patterson Street. as he approached the car, he saw the driver move suddenly toward the passenger seat area. he asked the driver, identified as Melnick, for his license, registration and insurance papers. Melnick had them ready, in his hand. Tom noticed a large backpack on the passenger seat.

Tom asked Melnick to step out of the car because he seemed very nervous and kept glancing toward the passenger seat. He told Melnick he was going to pat him down, and Melnick told Tom he had several knives. Tom smelled marijuana, and found d a small amount of the drug and rolling papers in Melnick's left shorts pocket.

He also found a pack of cigarettes which contained a joint.

Melnick did indeed have several knives on his person, and a large knife in his car in the backpack.