FOREST CO., Pa. (EYT) — A 27-year-old man is facing aggravated assault and other charges after striking a law enforcement officer during a drug bust in Tionesta, Kingsley Township, Forest County.
According to court documents, the Forest County Drug Task Force filed criminal charges against 27-year-old Bryan P. Wagner, of Mantua, Ohio.
On January 23, the Forest County Drug Task Force obtained information concerning suspected controlled substances at a residence located on McGregor Lane, in Tionesta, Kingsley Township, Forest County.
According to a criminal complaint, Forest County Drug Task Force arrived at the McGregor Lane residence around 10:49 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, and one of the detectives announced “police” and entered through the doorway. The first detective entering the residence was immediately tackled and thrown to the ground. During the scuffle, Bryan Wagner struck the detective in the face twice with a closed fist, while also grabbing his firearm. Two other detectives attempted to secure Wagner’s arms, but Wagner kept putting his arms under his body and resisting. One of the detectives deployed his taser to arrest Wagner.
After Wagner had been securely detained, one of the detectives conducted a safety pat down on him and found controlled substances along with drug paraphernalia on his person, the complaint states.
Wagner was assessed by Tionesta Ambulance, and he refused treatment.
Two of the detectives cleared the house for other persons and observed drug paraphernalia in plain view. The house was secured while Wagner was transported to the Forest County Courthouse where the detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the residence. Upon conducting their search, numerous items were taken for lab analysis.
The following charges were filed against Wagner on January 25, 2018:
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
– Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor (four counts)
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor (twenty counts)
A preliminary arraignment was scheduled for February 1, and a warrant for Wagner’s arrest was requested.
On February 1, in an attempt to avoid arrest, Bryan Wagner traveled within a four-mile radius throughout a wooded area in Kingsley Township, Forest County. He was found in a metal shed by the Venango County K-9 Unit. He allegedly admitted upon arrest that he knew police were looking for him, according to the complaint.
On February 1, Wagner was lodged at the Warren County Jail on $50,000.00 monetary bail.
On February 2, a charge of third-degree felony Flight To Avoid Apprehension/Trial/Punishment was filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Daniel L. Miller’s office.
At a request from Wagner’s defense attorney, his bail was reduced from $50,000.00 monetary bail to $40,000.00 monetary bail on the original charges. Bail on the flight charge was set at $15,000.00 unsecured.
Wagner remains lodged in the Warren County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, with Judge Miller presiding.
