Franklin man charged for having stolen gun

From staff reports

A Franklin man is facing charges after he was found to be in possession of a stolen handgun and was driving under the influence of drugs Monday in Frenchcreek Township.

Franklin state police said in a criminal complaint that Kerry Switzer, Jr., 36, was stopped by police at about 11:30 a.m. for speeding on the 15th Street Hill in Franklin. He was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance, the complaint said.

When police searched his vehicle they found a loaded handgun in the center console, according to the complaint. The firearm was found to have been stolen out of Warren County, the complaint said.

Switzer was charged with felony counts of firearms not to be carried without a license and receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor count of DUI-controlled substance-impaired ability and two summary traffic violations.

Switzer was arraigned Monday, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled March 4 in Venango County Central Court.