CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Drug and related charges have been filed against three area men after a police search of a Clarion residence.

According to court documents, Clarion-based State Police filed criminal charges against the following individuals:

– David Wayne Brandon, 23, of Emlenton (pictured above, bottom right)
– Michael Eugene Stewart, 45, of Clarion (pictured above, top left)
– Bradley Richard Elder, 19, of Emlenton (no photo available)

According to a criminal complaint, around 7:19 p.m. on August 10, Clarion County Adult Probation Officer Kerle contacted Trooper Allison, of PSP Clarion, to be on the lookout for David Wayne Brandon, who was driving a red Dodge Stratus in the Clarion area.

The complaint states that about an hour later, Trooper Allison saw the car parked beside a trailer occupied by Michael Eugene Stewart. After surveillance by Trooper Allison, Officer Kerle, and other probation officers, they determined Brandon was in the area, the complaint states.

Shortly afterward, authorities saw two men leave the trailer, open the door of the Stratus, and then go back inside the trailer. At that point, Officer Kerle recognized Brandon, the complaint indicates.

When authorities approached the trailer, they could hear “Happy Birthday” being sung before they announced their presence as police and probation officers. A man’s voice said they could enter, and when they did, they saw Brandon and another man, Bradley Richard Elder, start to run, according to the complaint.

Both got out of the trailer, but were taken into custody by probation officers.

A syringe was found in Brandon’s pocket, and after a search of Brandon’s vehicle, ingredients needed to make meth were also found, the complaint states.

When officers searched Elder, they found a syringe with liquid meth in it and a white, plastic container with meth in it, the complaint indicates.

Stewart then agreed to allow authorities to search the trailer after Brandon admitted to living in the trailer for a few months, according to the complaint.

In the bathroom, authorities found a Mason jar, coffee filters, starter fluid, lye, drain cleaner, and a strong odor that officers recognized with the manufacturing of methamphetamine, the complaint continues.

According to the complaint, Stewart said he knew Brandon had a warrant for his arrest.

Around 10:39 p.m. a known woman was interviewed. She stated that she and Brandon went to the Clarion Walmart, and Brandon asked her to buy Claritin D. She stated that she knew that the Claritin D was going to be used to manufacture methamphetamine. She also indicated that Brandon, Elder, and Stewart all participated in the process of cooking the methamphetamine by entering the bathroom at separate times throughout the cooking process.

On August 10, Brandon was lodged in the Clarion County Jail on a parole violation.

At 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 8, he was arraigned at District Judge Duane Quinn’s office on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Operating a Methamphetamine Lab, Felony 2
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor

He remains in the Clarion Count Jail on $25,000.00 monetary bail.

Stewart was arraigned at 2:00 p.m. on September 1 in Judge Quinn’s office on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Operating a Methamphetamine Lab, Felony 2
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor (six counts)
– Hinder Apprehension/Prosecution-Provide Aid, Misdemeanor 2

Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Clarion County Jail.

Preliminary hearings for Brandon and Stewart are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on September 19 with Judge Quinn presiding.

According to court documents, a criminal complaint was filed against Elder on September 7 in Judge Quinn’s office.

He faces the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Operating a Methamphetamine Lab, Felony 2
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor (six counts)
– Hinder Apprehension/Prosecution-Provide Aid, Misdemeanor 2

His case status is inactive, awaiting a preliminary hearing.