Lucinda Man Accused of Conspiracy to Smuggle Heroin into Clarion County Jail

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published November 23, 2016 5:00 pm
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PAINT TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A Lucinda man faces drug and related charges after allegedly providing controlled substances to a New Bethlehem man in a conspiracy to have Heroin and other substances smuggled into the Clarion County Jail.

According to court documents, criminal charges were filed against 52-year-old Gregory W. Bloom, of Lucinda.

According to a criminal complaint, on November 17, authorities were contacted by Clarion County Probation Officer Jay Kerle who advised that phones calls to known individuals from (a known female inmate) were intercepted.

The complaint states that these calls led Officer Kerle to investigate further and view surveillance video from the Clarion County Courthouse. Officer Kerle reported that surveillance shows a known individual entering the third floor bathroom prior to (the known female inmate) entering the same bathroom. She had been transported from the Clarion County Jail to the Clarion County Courthouse for a court appearance on November 17.

The Clarion County Jail was notified of the incident and began to search inmates housed in the same block with (the known female). Suboxone, Heroin, tobacco, and Kratom were found on (the known female) and several other female prisoners, according to the complaint.

(The known female inmate) was interviewed and admitted that “she had communicated via telephone from the Clarion County Jail to Joseph Bruno to facilitate him obtaining controlled substances and placing them in the bathroom of the courthouse for her to retrieve,” the complaint indicates.

(The known female) advised that “when she went to the bathroom, she located the contraband behind the garbage can. She admitted that it had been tobacco and three Suboxone strips which she secreted in her vagina. She admitted to providing some of the Suboxone to two other inmates,” the complaint continues.

Other known inmates were interviewed and corroborated that “(the known female inmate) had smuggled controlled substances into the jail, including Heroin, Suboxone, and Methamphetamine,” the complaint indicates.

Joseph Bruno was interviewed and “admitted to placing Heroin, Suboxone, Kratom, Methamphetamine, and tobacco in the bathroom of the Clarion County Courthouse for the female to retrieve while she was there for a court hearing,” the complaint states.

Bruno stated that “phone calls and text messages were made to and from Gregory Bloom, and arrangements were made for him to meet Bloom at (a convenience store) in Paint Township on November 16, 2016, for the delivery of controlled substances to be delivered to (a known female inmate) to be carried into the Clarion County Jail,” according to the complaint.

Bruno advised that “he had received stamp bags of Heroin, tobacco, and a substance known as Kratom from Bloom to be delivered to (the known female inmate). Several jail calls were intercepted supporting the fact that Bloom had arranged to deliver controlled substances to Bruno to be provided to (the known female inmate) on behalf of Bloom’s paramour,” the complaint continues.

Bloom was arraigned at 9:00 a.m. on November 21 on the following charges:

  • Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony (six counts)
  • Contraband/Controlled Substance, Felony 2 (three counts)
  • Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor (three counts)
  • Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3

Unable to post $95,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Clarion County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on November 29 in front of Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill.

The name of the known female inmate was not included because charges have not been filed against her.

The case remains under investigation.

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