CRAWFORD CO., Pa. (EYT) — A Knox man was recently sentenced to state prison after being caught smuggling drugs into the Crawford County Jail last year.

(Pictured above: Clifford D. Walker. Photo courtesy The Meadville Tribune.)

According to The Meadville Tribune, on Monday, July 9, President Judge Mark Stevens sentenced 38-year-old Clifford D. Walker, of Knox, to two to four years in state prison, with credit for five days served, and ordered him to pay court costs and a $100.00 fine.

Walker pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree felony contraband — controlled substance on May 7, 2018, a charge which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in state prison.

Details of Contraband Case:

According to a criminal complaint, on March 16, 2017, Clifford Walker placed five Oxycodone pills and tobacco in a rubber glove and then sealed the glove and left it in a public bathroom at the Crawford County Jail.

The complaint states that an inmate at the jail (at that time), 37-year-old Charles Walker, of Clarion, asked Clifford Walker (Charles’ cousin) for the items during a recorded phone call at the jail.

In a later recorded phone call between the cousins, Clifford Walker disclosed exactly where he hid the contraband, and it was then found by corrections officers.

Charles Walker Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Contraband; Fails to Appear for Sentencing

Court documents indicate that Charles Walker pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Contraband of a Controlled Substance on March 1, 2018, in Crawford County Court.

Walker was free on $20,000.00 monetary bail.

The Meadville Tribune states that Judge John Sparto issued a bench warrant for Charles Walker’s arrest on June 4 after he failed to appear for sentencing.

Authorities Attempt to Serve Bench Warrant at Clarion Borough Residence

Around 2:25 p.m. on Monday, June 11, Officer Wright assisted Clarion County Sheriff’s Deputies in an attempt to serve a felony warrant on Charles Edward Walker.

Deputy Swartzfager had information that Walker was currently staying with Randi Lynn Meals at a residence on Liberty Street in Clarion Borough.

Officer Wright knocked on the door, and it was answered by Meals. Officer Wright advised Meals that the officers currently held a warrant for Walker and asked her if he was present at the residence, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Meals said he was not there and that she had not spoken to him since Friday, June 8.

While Office Wright spoke with Meals, he noted a clear glass smoking pipe on top of a black box on the coffee table inside the door and asked Meals if they could look around. Meals gave her consent, and Officer Wright advised her that if they located Walker inside the residence, she would be charged with hindering apprehension, the complaint indicates.

Meals again stated that Walker was not inside the residence, according to the complaint.

Officer Wright then stepped inside and observed a white powdery substance with a straw sticking out of it on the TV stand. He asked Meals if there were any more drugs inside the residence and she replied, “I don’t know.”

Officer Wright then asked Meals for consent to search for drugs. Meals advised Officer Wright to get a warrant, and he advised Meals that he would be applying for a search warrant for the residence and that she would have to step out on the porch to preserve evidence.

Authorities Discover Drugs in Clarion Borough Residence

Officers Zerfoss and Wright then did a security sweep of the residence for additional persons.

The complaint notes that while clearing the residence, Officer Wright observed a digital scale, razor blades, and clear baggies on the kitchen table in plain view.

Walker was found hiding in a closet in the bedroom; he was taken into custody and brought out to the living room.

According to the complaint, Walker said that he did not want Meals charged for anything and stated, “That is my cocaine over there on the table,” and nodded his head towards the TV, the complaint states.

Officer Wright asked Walker if there were any more drugs inside of the residence and he stated, “not that I know of.”

A search warrant was applied for at the office of Magisterial District Judge Duane Quinn, which was subsequently granted, and Officer Wright returned to the Liberty Street residence at 2:25 p.m., and the following items were recovered at the residence:

– A clear glass smoking pipe with residue;
– A black lock box containing a digital scale, a clear baggie containing crystals (suspected methamphetamine) and several small ziplock baggies;
– A silver lockbox containing smoking pipes and several small ziplock baggies;
– A green container containing white powder substance (suspected cocaine);
– A black Cricket ZTE cell phone;
– A black Samsung cell phone;
– A black Samsung cell phone;
– A black LG cell phone;
– A digital scale;
– A plastic baggie containing white powder substance and a spoon (suspected cocaine);
– A red zipper bag containing small plastic ziplock baggies;
– A black safe containing drug paraphernalia;
– A purple container containing white rocky substance (suspected crack cocaine); and
– $611.00 in U.S. currency.

The items were confiscated and transported to the Clarion Borough Police Department.

Charles Walker Arrested, Jailed, Awaiting Plea Court

Walker was arraigned at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, in Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn’s office on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Flight To Avoid Apprehension/Trial/Punishment, Felony 3
– Intentional Possession of Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

Unable to post $50,000 cash bail, Walker remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail.

Walker’s case was transferred to the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas on June 26.

His case is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on July 11 in Plea Court with President Judge James G. Arner.

Charles Walker will not be returned to Crawford County for sentencing until after any court proceedings in Clarion County are completed.

Meals Arraigned, Awaiting Preliminary Hearing

Meals was arraigned at 6:50 p.m. on Monday, June 11, in Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn’s office on the following charges:

– Hinder Apprehension/Prosecution-Harbor Or Conceal, Felony 3
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Intentional Possession of Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

Meals was lodged in the Clarion County Jail on June 11; however, she was released on $25,000.00 monetary bail on June 19.

Her preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on August 21 with Judge Quinn presiding.