SMETHPORT — A Bradford man was sentenced to prison time for allegations he was manufacturing methamphetamine in a home where a minor lived.
William T. Puskar, 36, was sentenced over video conference before President Judge John Pavlock to one to two years in state prison with credit for 304 days of time served and to pay a lab user fee of $2,865.
Puskar pleaded guilty April 22 to charges of manufacturing methamphetamine-child present and risking catastrophe.
Prior to receiving his sentence, Puskar told Pavlock, “I just want to say I’m an idiot. I’ve made a lot of dumb mistakes in the past.” He told the judge he planned to make better decisions in the future.
Puskar’s attorney, Stephanie Smith of the Public Defender’s Office, explained to Pavlock that it was Puskar’s addiction to meth that was behind him being charged with several cases in a short period of time.
The criminal complaint filed when he was first charged alleged that on March 2, 2019, police learned that Puskar was manufacturing meth in the bedroom of a minor girl on East Avenue, Bradford.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer noted a State Police Clandestine Lab Team had to be brought in due to the explosive nature of meth operations.
Police seized 26 items from the home, including a plastic pop bottle with metallic objects inside that appeared to be a “one pot” or “shake and bake” meth operation, according to the complaint.
