Search warrant leads to several drug arrests

A search warrant executed by police at a home in Lehighton has led to several drug arrests.

Kim Kershner, 52, of the 200 block of North First Street, appeared for a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Eric Schrantz of Jim Thorpe.

Kershner waived his right to the hearing, and will appear for a pretrial status conference at the Carbon County Courthouse next month.

He faces charges on one count each of unlawful delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by patrolman Gabe Szozda of the Lehighton Borough Police Department:

As part of an ongoing investigation into methamphetamine and heroin distribution, Szozda learned that Kershner was distributing methamphetamine in the borough.

On Aug. 7, as part of the investigation, search and seizure warrant was executed at Kershner’s home.

Linda Rosario and Jerry Kershner were found to be inside the residence.

Szozda made a phone call to Kim Kershner, who said he was on his way back to the residence. Upon arrival, Kershner was taken into custody without incident.

While at the scene, Kim Kershner admitted possessing methamphetamine in his right back pocket.

A blue bandanna containing a clear bag with a crystallike substance was discovered on Kershner.

As a result of the warrant, items were located and seized from inside the residence, including, but not limited to, the following items discovered in Kershner’s bedroom: 20 bags with residue; 69 empty bags; six cellphones; two glass pipes with residue; one orange pill bottle containing a white powderlike substance; one US Sonic digital scale; one orange, plastic bag containing 0.3 gram of meth; three plastic straws with residue; sandwich bag box with sandwich bags; pink metal container with cats on it containing 27 white pills and two clear plastic bags with residue; one white pill; an orange pill bottle containing one rubber band; 27 white pills; one white pill; one red plastic grinder with residue; black leather pouch; black electronic scale; 16 clear plastic bags; two purple plastic bags with residue; clear plastic bag with six yellow pills; nine yellow pills; six purple plastic bags with residue; 22 clear plastic bags; piece of paper with a phone number written on it; paperwork from an NEMF Easton carrier to Jerry Kershner, and a green and tan soft gun case with a Winchester 30-30 rifle inside.

Kim Kershner was read his Miranda rights, but said he did not wish to speak with police regarding the incident.

A field test produced a positive reaction for the presence of methamphetamine.

The meth discovered on Kim Kershner weighted 12.2 grams.

During the search, one white bottle containing a plastic bag with a crystallike substance was discovered in Jerry Kershner’s pants pocket.

It weighed 0.2 gram and tested positive for meth.

Jerry Kershner was read his Miranda rights and provided verbal and written statements.

He said that the meth discovered in his pants came from Kim Kershner.

He further explained that he has been purchasing meth from Kim Kershner for about six months on a weekly basis.

He said he bought 0.6 gram of meth from Kim Kershner three or four days ago for $40.

He also said that Kim Kershner did most of his transactions out of the house, but did not know who his supplier was.

Kim Kershner is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 straight bail. He is scheduled to appear for a pretrial status conference next month.