Palmerton woman wanted on bench warrant behind bars

A Palmerton woman already wanted on a Northampton County bench warrant is behind bars.

Amy Freed, 32, has been charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the affidavit of probable caused filed by Mahoning Township Police Chief Audie Mertz:

On Sept. 6, Mertz received a phone tip that Freed, who was wanted, was staying in a tent at a lot in the Nis Hollow Trailer Park.

Mertz checked and confirmed there was an active Northampton County Bench warrant for Freed.

Officer Tyler Meek and Mertz responded to the residence at 10:15 a.m., at which time they made contact with the homeowner and advised him of the tip.

The homeowner pointed to the rear of the property and said Freed was out back in the tent.

Mertz approached the tent and saw Freed sitting inside, at which time he approached her and advised her of the warrant.

Freed admitted knowing that she was wanted, and was later placed in custody, at which time her purse was removed from the tent.

She said there was stuff inside the purse, and admitted being a heroin user and indicated there were needles and heroin in her eyeglasses case.

A small baggie containing suspected heroin was removed, along with a folded piece of foil. Three hypodermic syringes were also removed from the purse.

Freed was transported to the station, where she waived her Miranda rights, and admitted being a heroin and methamphetamine user.

She stated that the baggie contained heroin, the foil contained methamphetamine, and that she has been using heroin for a month-and-a-half, and methamphetamine for three months.

Freed was placed in Carbon County Correctional Facility on the warrant and $1,000 bail.

Freed is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Sept. 19 before District Judge Casimir T. Kosciolek of Lansford.