Five face drug charges in separate cases

New drugs charges have been lodged against Jaser James Bragg, who was arrested on March 11 when police intercepted him as he was in the process of selling 10 bags of cocaine to an informant near West Fourth and Maynard streets in the city, according to court records filed at the the county’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU). He pushed away an officer, who was forced “to wrap his arms around him to prevent him from fleeing,” it was stated in an affidavit. As this was happening, A passenger in a car, Bragg, who was also being sought at the time on a bench warrant, “shoved baggies of drugs between the seats,” the court document stated. The drugs (10 grams of cocaine and three grams of methamphetamine) were quickly recovered, investigators said. Arraigned before District Judge Christian Frey on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, illegal use of a cellphone, failure to register a new address after being evicted from a property, plus three misdemeanors, including tampering with evidence, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance. Following a preliminary hearing, Bragg was held for court on all the charges and remains jailed in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $75.000 bail. He was arrested last year on charges of selling drugs to an undercover officer between late February and late May, according to court records.

In another case, Shirell Amber Johnson, 36, of 1011 Railway St., has been charged with one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance for allegedly selling $180 worth of cocaine to an informant at Johnson’s former home in the 2100 block of West Third Street on Sept. 11; according to the county’s NEU. She has since waived her preliminary hearing before Frey and remains free on $$15,000 bail.

In another NEU case, Curtis James Keyes 51, 455 Elmira St., has been charged with two felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of illegal use of a cellphone following his alleged involvement in selling cocaine to a “known drug user” on Feb. 19 and again on March 27, investigators alleged in an affidavit. Both alleged sale took place in the 400 block of Center Street, investigators said. He has since waived his preliminary hearing before Frey and is free on $25,000 bail.

In another case, city police have charged Jesuco Victor White, 34, of Winfield, with possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct following an incident at West Fourth and Grier streets on Feb. 6, according to an affidavit. He was recently held for court following a hearing before Frey and is free on $10,000 bail.

In another case, Shawn Zimmerman, 63, of 160 Bennardi Development Road, South Williamsport, has been charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia as a result of the the items being found in his home when state troopers were dispatched there for a domestic disturbance last Aug. 3. He has waived his preliminary hearing before District Judge Wlliam Solomon and is free on $5,000 bail.

City man allegedly assault sister during disturbance

Austin Michael Rishel, 24, of 917 Clark St., was jailed on charges of felony strangulation, simple assault and harassment after he grabbed his sister by the neck, choked her and slammed her up against the wall inside the family’s home during a disturbance on March 27. Following his arraignment hours later before Frey, Rishel, who is on probation, was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail. He has since waived his preliminary hearing.

Montoursville man allegedly stole guitar

August G. Anderson, 43, of 17 Woodside Drive, Montoursville, has been charged with theft and receiving stolen property after stealing a $499 Ibanez guitar from Robert M. Sides at 201 Mulberry St. on Dec. 12, city police alleged in an affidavit. He has since waived his preliminary hearing before District Aaron Biichle and is free on $5,000 bail.