After a three-month, collaborative investigation between the Old Lycoming Township police department and Lycoming County Drug Task Force, a suspected marijuana dealer has been arrested on drug trafficking charges in Williamsport.
Dale Allen Matthews, 45, of 1836 Fry Ave., faces felony charges of delivery of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver marijuana and criminal use of a communication facility. He also faces misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation began on July 23, when Old Lycoming Township police received information from two of Matthews' neighbors who have homes on Fry Avenue, indicating that they had witnessed "suspicious activity" coming from the Matthews' home for the last year.
Both neighbors told police that they had observed a number of drivers who would stop by the residence for a short period of time. They also told police that Matthews, who does not have a job, would frequently leave his residence for short periods of time, according to police.
The two neighbors provided reports of numerous vehicles that had stopped by the residence briefly, several times a week, for the past year.
One of the neighbors had taken down the registrations of two of the suspicious vehicles that repeatedly visited Matthews' home. According to police, on July 20, witnesses observed Gage Wood, of 913 Poplar St., pull up to the residence and enter Matthews' home briefly, before leaving again. Neighbors noted they had seen the vehicle come and go many times, according to court records.
In the affidavit, police noted that Wood was arrested by Old Lycoming Township police on July 22 for felony possesion with intent to deliver marijuana and MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. During the investigation, Wood admitted to selling the drugs to several people, but had declined to name his source for marijuana, according to court records.
Police also received a report from a confidential informant stating that "large quantities of drugs" were being sold by Matthews from his home, according to court records.
On Aug. 13, the informant told police of Brenda Houseweart, of Canton, who had allegedly been purchasing "ounce quantities" of marijuana from Dale Matthews at his home about two to four times a week.
On Sept. 14, Old Lycoming Township police observed Houseweart's vehicle stop briefly at Matthews' residence. According to reports, Houseweart parked, entered the residence and returned to her vehicle within several moments.
Police stopped Houseweart in her vehicle after she drove away from Matthews' residence.
When asked if there were drugs in her vehicle, Houseweart allegedly replied, "Yes." She then explained that there was an ounce of marijuana inside her purse and that she had purchased the marijuana from Matthews at his home.
She continued to explain that she had been purchasing ounce quantities of marijuana from Matthews for several months for $150, according to court records.
Houseweart told police there were additional quantities of marijuana at Matthews' home. According to the affidavit, "She stated that Dale never has to 'go anywhere' to get the drugs, they are always in his home."
After receiving a warrant, police searched Matthews' residence. There, police allegedly found about $34,000. Small amounts of marijuana were found in various containers throughout the house, according to court records.
According to the affidavit, eight empty prescription pill bottles with various names and owners on them were found inside the residence, along with 32 oxycodone pills. Various pipes used for smoking marijuana, a digital scale and two notebooks that contained names, addresses, and monetary amounts also also seized in the search.
After taking Dale Matthews into custody, police interviewed his wife Jane. Jane allegedly told police that her husband sells marijuana, and had purchased about a pound of marijuana the night before, according to the affidavit.
She admitted that she smokes marijuana frequently, and that there was a small glass container and baggie of marijuana on the night stand that belonged to her, according to police.
Dale Matthews was taken into custody and arraigned before on-duty District Judge James G. Carn on Friday. Matthews was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail but has since been released.
Additional arrests are expected to be made as a result of this investigation, according to police.
