A Bradford man is facing felony drug charges after police searched his residence and allegedly found heroin, methamphetamine and crack cocaine.
Tony J. McCormick, 32, was arraigned early Wednesday morning before District Judge Richard Luther on three counts of possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, felonies; two counts of possessing an instrument of crime, first-degree misdemeanors; five counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.
Bradford City Police stated that on Tuesday, they, along with the McKean County District Attorney’s Office K-9 Unit, executed a search warrant at 22 Merrow Ave.
The criminal complaint indicated that police were first called to the address — which McCormick was renting — because the landlord was worried about a theft from his property, as well as because he overheard a domestic dispute between McCormick and his girlfriend.
At the scene, an officer asked to speak with McCormick’s girlfriend in the kitchen, and he spotted a clear glass pipe with white burnt residue. The officer asked her if there were any other similar items in the home, and she said she had a marijuana pipe and grinder in the bedroom, the complaint stated.
There was no indication as of press time Wednesday that charges would be filed against McCormick’s girlfriend.
According to court records, when officers talked to McCormick, he disclosed other drugs and drug paraphernalia that might be in the house, and he pulled from his pocket a bag of meth. McCormick was placed in custody and taken to the holding cell at the Bradford City Police Station. He was found to be in possession of multiple gift cards and $1,030 in cash, too.
His girlfriend told police that she observed McCormick holding a shotgun approximately one week prior. During an argument between the pair, he told her, “I’m going to blow my brains out,” court records stated.
She did not know if the shotgun belonged to McCormick or if he was holding it for someone else. Police did not find any firearms when they searched the house, court records stated.
McCormick was indicted in June on firearm-related federal charges. According to the complaint, he was purchasing firearms for drug dealers who were operating between Bradford and Buffalo, N.Y.
The woman also told police that McCormick used and sold controlled substances. She told them that “many people come and go from the residence at all hours of the day and night but she does not know exactly what for as McCormick does not disclose to her what he does,” the complaint stated.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, police executed the search warrant. They seized heroin, crack cocaine, meth, marijuana, assorted prescription medication including Suboxone and Gabapetin, clear plastic bags with markings/stamps, two scales, a loaded syringe, two glass bowls, a grinder, rolling papers, straws and a spoon, according to court records.
This felony drug case is one of at least two active criminal cases against McCormick.
In June, U. S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced that McCormick was indicted on seven federal charges. A press release from Brady alleged that between March 6, 2019, and Sept. 22, 2019, McCormick made false statements during the purchase of eight firearms. He is accused of making “straw purchases” by buying the firearms under his name, then delivering them to a third party.
Federal court records indicate that McCormick entered a not guilty plea to the federal charges on June 24 and intends to go to trial. All pretrial motions are due Sept. 8.
Also this summer, McCormick was charged in McKean County with terroristic threats and harassment for allegations that on July 6, he threatened over the phone to come to a male’s house to kill the male and his family. A last-day-to-plea hearing in the threat case is set for Oct. 15.
McCormick is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail on the drug case. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 9.
