Charges against a Bradford man accused of growing marijuana and using it in front of a child were bound to McKean County Court Wednesday before District Judge Richard Luther.
Wade Bunker, 49, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony; endangering the welfare of children, a first-degree misdemeanor; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.
According to the criminal complaint, Bradford City Police and the McKean County Drug Task Force obtained a search warrant for Bunker’s 647 Bolivar Drive home after a School Street Elementary School teacher notified authorities that a student reported a marijuana growing operation there.
Officers from Foster Township, Bradford City and the Drug Task Force allegedly found marijuana hanging to dry and marijuana in multiple rooms of the residence. In the attic, officers found potting plants, hanging grow lamps, buckets of dirt and items used for cultivating plants, court records stated.
Outside, officers located an electric cord running to a ditch, where a small dam had been created to supply water to an irrigation line at the rear of the property, the criminal complaint indicated. Following the line, officers found a can containing Miracle Grow near three adult marijuana plants.
When interviewed by police, Bunker admitted to growing the marijuana, and said it was for personal use, not sale, according to the probable cause.
The probable cause indicated the marijuana was being grown and used in front of the child and was in areas where the child could have accessed it.
Bunker is free, having posted $10,000 bail.
Charge of flight against Bradford man stands
A Bradford man accused of avoiding police for months after failing to show up in court had a misdemeanor charge of flight to avoid apprehension against him bound to McKean County Court.
James F. Hochstine, 46, of 29 Clarence St., appeared for a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Dominic Cercone.
The criminal complaint states that a bench warrant was issued against Hochstine on May 22 after he failed to appear for sentencing.
Hochstine was scheduled to be sentenced May 17 in McKean County Court for charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and DUI-general impairment, misdemeanors.
The McKean County Sheriff’s Department and Bradford City Police had tried to find Hochstine; he left messages asking how he could take care of the bench warrant, but failed to follow through, the complaint indicated.
That Hochstine continued to hide “is not uncommon as James F. Hochstine has had a history of arrest warrants and failure to appear court,” the criminal complaint stated.
Police received a credible tip that he was at 19 Miller St., and they surrounded the house, knocked on the door and called to him using a loudspeaker; he did not answer.
They obtained a search warrant, again knocked on the door and called through a loudspeaker with no answer. Police entered and found Hochstine hiding under a pile of clothes behind a couch, court records indicated.
He is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Flight charge against Bradford man bound to court
A charge of flight to avoid apprehension, a misdemeanor, against a Bradford man was bound to McKean County Court Wednesday before District Judge Dominic Cercone.
Jake A. Cabisca, 21, of Bradford, appeared for a preliminary hearing Wednesday on the charge.
On Oct. 2, Bradford City Police were dispatched for a welfare check at the home of a female with whom Cabisca was in a relationship. At the time, Cabisca had a warrant out for his arrest for absconding from county supervision in a misdemeanor retail theft case, court records stated.
According to the criminal complaint, Cabisca fled from the residence on foot and was caught by police nearby.
Cabisca is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
