Centre Hall man charged after traffic stop leads to drug seizure

Search uncovered fentanyl, meth and cocaine

MILROY -- A Centre Hall man is facing felony drug charges after Armagh Township police allegedly found fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop in Milroy.

Clinton Allen Hardy, 33, was charged with two felony counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, three misdemeanor counts of intentional possession of a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police observed a red 2009 Buick LaCrosse fail to stop at a stop sign at West Colonial Drive and continue onto Commerce Drive in Armagh Township shortly after midnight July 18. After stopping the vehicle at Rutter’s, police identified the driver as Erica Michelle Alters and Hardy as a passenger.

While Alters searched for her insurance and registration, officers observed what appeared to be a marijuana grinder in plain view inside the vehicle. Police also learned Hardy had an active warrant. After Hardy was taken into custody, Alters declined officers’ request to search the vehicle, prompting police to obtain a search warrant.

A separate set of charges are pending against Alters.

Police said the search uncovered suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, Narcan, scales, glassine bags, drug pipes, a bong, xylazine test strips and other items commonly associated with the sale and use of controlled substances. Field testing later produced presumptive positive results for fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, according to the affidavit. Police allege the seizure included about 5 grams of fentanyl, 20 grams of methamphetamine and 2 grams of cocaine.

Hardy was arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge Kent A. Smith, who set bail at $100,000 monetary. Unable to post bail, Hardy is being held in the Mifflin County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 29 before Smith.