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Man heading to trial for drugs and guns found in traffic stop

SLIPPERY ROCK — A Clearfield man's case involving alleged drugs and guns moved forward following a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Christian S. Graham, 23, is charged with felony unlicensed carrying of a gun, repairing or selling a weapon, drug possession and drug sales, as well as misdemeanor drug paraphernalia possession and DUI.

Graham was brought before District Judge Joseph Nash from Butler County Prison, where he has remained in lieu of $500,000 bond.

State Police Cpl. Randy Orlic testified Wednesday about the stop and the marijuana that led to Graham’s arrest, as well as the drugs and guns later found inside the vehicle.

Orlic said he pulled the vehicle over after finding out Graham’s license was suspended. He said the vehicle was registered to Graham and Graham’s mother.

“I detected an odor of burnt marijuana coming from the passenger compartment of the vehicle,” Orlic said.

Orlic said he searched Graham and found 48 grams of marijuana in his pocket and later more than $2,500 in Graham’s wallet. Orlic said based on those factors and failed field sobriety tests, he wanted to search the vehicle.

“He denied consent,” Orlic said.

A later warrant allowed Orlic and other troopers access to the vehicle, where a .40-caliber pistol was found behind the passenger seat.

“That was within arm’s reach of the defendant (during the traffic stop),” Orlic said. “The defendant is a felon not permitted to possess a firearm.”

On Aug. 7, 2018, Graham pleaded guilty to a felony and misdemeanor related to his fleeing from state police in Clearfield County. He was sentenced to two to five years in prison.

Orlic said the pistol inside the vehicle had been reported stolen through state police in Clearfield County.

He said troopers searched the vehicle’s trunk and found two rifles, two shotguns, 343 grams of suspected crystal meth, more than 200 stamp bags of suspected heroin and 3 grams of suspected cocaine.

Graham’s public defender, Jennifer Popovich, reserved her argument Wednesday as to the charges, and she did not initiate any request regarding bond.

However, during cross-examination she determined the traffic stop was conducted at 6:45 p.m., and the blood test was done nearly three hours later at 9:40 p.m.

Before Nash decided to forward all charges to the Butler County Common Pleas Court, Assistant District Attorney David Beichner said that the state’s two-hour rule usually is more lenient with drugs.

“I just note that we’re dealing with a drug DUI, not one involving alcohol,” Beichner said.

Orlic earlier testified that Graham was in constant supervision since his arrest by himself and other troopers.

Graham next will appear for formal arraignment in county court. A date was not immediately available Wednesday.

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