A criminal complaint filed this week through district judge Andrew Fish’s office says Franklin state police trooper Bradley Wolak was advised on Jan. 12 by the informant that Sheridan Lawson, 71, was selling cocaine from his residence at 215 State St. in Oil City.
The informant tried to contact Lawson via telephone to set up a controlled buy, but there was no answer, the complaint said.
Wolak and the informant then traveled to Lawson’s residence where the informant entered the residence, the complaint said.
After returning, the informant advised Wolak that Lawson made a call to his drug supplier and said the person would arrive in about five five minutes.
Wolak then observed a light-skinned black male walking a dog south on State Street enter Lawson’s residence. That man was later identified as Timothy Wolf Jr., 18, the complaint said.
The informant was provided $100 of official Pennsylvania state police funds and re-entered Lawson’s residence, the complaint said.
After leaving the residence and walking back to Wolak’s undercover vehicle, the informant handed Wolak two plastic baggie corners containing cocaine, the complaint said.
Wolak then observed Wolf and the dog leave Lawson’s residence and walk to Country Fair on Wilson Avenue. The informant advised that this was the same male who handed them the baggies of cocaine, the complaint said.
Wolf has been charged with two felony counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, one felony count of criminal use of a communication facility and a misdemeanor count of intentional possession of a controlled substance.
Lawson has been charged with one felony count of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and one felony count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Both were arraigned Thursday before Fish and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.
Preliminary hearings have been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday in Venango County Central Court.
