A Bradford man is facing weapon and drug paraphernalia charges after he was arrested on a warrant last week in Bradford.
Shawn M. Mott, 28, of 2 Bushnell St., Apt. 507, was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Dominic Cercone on charges of make repairs/sell/etc. offensive weapon, a first-degree misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint, at 6:15 p.m. Friday, an off-duty Bradford City police officer contacted an on-duty officer to report that he saw Mott walking a dog in the area of East Corydon Street. This was because there was an active bench warrant for Mott’s arrest.
Police located Mott near 150 Main St. headed toward the Tops parking lot, the complaint stated. When the officer made contact with Mott, Mott identified himself. The officer asked Mott to step toward the patrol vehicle and advised him of the warrant.
Mott “became argumentative and began immediately backing away” from police, clenching his fists and giving the officer the impression that he was going to run, the complaint indicated. The officer drew his Taser and advised dispatch that he was holding Mott at Taser point. The officer continued to give Mott several commands, such as telling him to put his hands on the vehicle. Once backup arrived, the officer was able to get Mott to comply.
When asked if he had anything that would harm officers, Mott admitted that he had a syringe and a knife in his front right pants pocket. Police located a syringe and an approximately 11-inch “Twistmaster” folding knife on Mott during a subsequent search, according to court records.
The complaint did not state what the bench warrant was for, but an online docket for a previous criminal case against Mott indicates that he failed to appear for a rule to show cause hearing Dec. 18 in McKean County Court. In the previous case, Mott pleaded guilty in 2017 to charges of receiving stolen property and conspiracy-theft by unlawful taking.
Mott was released on $5,000 unsecured bail in the new case. He is scheduled to appear in Central Court on March 5.
