MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - A former federal prisoner and a Trevorton man wanted on county warrants have been charged with multiple felony drug offenses relating to a vehicle stop along Route 901 early Sunday morning.
The stop was prompted by a BOLO (Be on the Look Out) from state police at Lewistown that several handguns and ammunition had been stolen from a Mifflintown residence.
Shadi Mustafa Abuomar, 25, of 120 Academy St., Shamokin, and Franklin Martin Middaugh, of 1049 W. Coal St., Trevorton, are incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury after being pulled over by Mount Carmel Township and Coal Township police around 12:30 a.m. between Excelsior and the former Boylan's Garage.
Abuomar is charged with possessing a firearm while being a former convict, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession with intent to deliver heroin, criminal conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of a combination of drugs.
Middaugh, a passenger in a black Plymouth Breeze operated and owned by Aubomar, is charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession with intent to deliver heroin, criminal conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All the charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Matthew Filarski, who was assisted by Coal Township Patrolmen Terry Ketchem and Joshua Wynn with the vehicle stop. Mount Carmel Township Patrolmen Kelly Campbell and Brian Carnuccio and Chief of Police Brian Hollenbush also assisted in the investigation.
Police said Abuomar was on federal probation after serving six months for distributing and possessing with intent to deliver at least five grams of cocaine that stemmed from an arrest by U.S. marshals from Williamsport.
Middaugh was wanted by the Northumberland County Sheriff's Department on several warrants.
The BOLO issued by state police at Lewistown indicated that guns and ammunition were stolen from Mifflintown by individuals who fled in a vehicle matching the description and registration of Abuomar's car. Although the stolen guns and ammunition were not found in Abuomar's car, police did discover a SKS .762 rifle owned by David DeMarco, of Mount Carmel, ammunition, 45 packets of heroin, 14 grams of marijuana and numerous drug paraphernalia, including plastic bags, three cell phones, batteries, a small digital scale, blue wax paper, a Mary Kay makeup case, a syringe, a backpack and a metal spoon.
The search of the impounded vehicle was conducted Tuesday after a search warrant was issued by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Abuomar told police there were drugs in his car that belonged to Middaugh. Abuomar claimed he was only being "hooked up" by Middaugh.
DeMarco told police he placed his rifle in the trunk of Abuomar's auto on the evening of June 22 and waited on Market Street in Shamokin for Abuomar to give him a ride to Mount Carmel, but Abuomar never showed up, police said. DeMarco told police he needed a ride because his 1999 Ford Explorer was inoperable.