DuBois man accused of illegally possessing gun, drugs after being stopped on stolen ATV (2024)

DuBOIS — A DuBois man is facing several felony charges after he was allegedly found to be in illegal possession of a firearm and several controlled substances after being stopped on a stolen ATV.

City of DuBois Police have charged Jesse Lee Fauls, 41, of DuBois, with one count of possession of a firearm prohibited, a felony in the second degree; one count of theft by unlawful taking –movable property, a felony in the third degree; one count of receiving stolen property, also a felony in the third degree; two felony counts of the manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; one count of possessing a firearm with an altered manufacturer number, a felony in the second degree and one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of the use/possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors. He is also cited for traffic violations, according to a criminal complaint filed at Magisterial District Judge David Meholick’s office Sept. 30.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Sept. 24, a DuBois City Police officer was in a marked patrol vehicle in the area of South Main Street when they observed an ATV traveling north, in “violation of title 75-7721.” Police followed the ATV up Sandy Alley and located it on Shaffer Alley, initiating a traffic stop. Both the driver or passenger of the ATV were wearing a helmet or protective eye-wear. They had two backpacks bungee-corded to the front of the ATV. The driver was told he cannot operate the ATV on a roadway, and he responded that he was aware of that.

The driver, Fauls, was identified by his PA driver’s license. He was apprehensive to tell the officer who he acquired the ATV from. When he recalled the name, the officer recognized it to be known as a drug-involved person. While speaking with Fauls, the officer noticed several knives clipped to his left side, and a large belt knife and folding knife clipped to his right side, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Fauls told police that he was headed to a residence to work on the ATV, and that he was “test driving” it on the railroad tracks.

Police noted that Fauls has been previously identified as a drug trafficker as recently as April/May 2024. Fauls said there was no registration for the ATV, and was advised he needed to locate a VIN. The passenger of the ATV, a woman, was identified as Melissa Ann Kot, 44, of DuBois.

Police asked Fauls for consent to search his person. He was asked if he had any weapons on him, to which he said he did. He began to draw the large fixed blade knife. He was told not to take the knife out. Fauls told police he had Kot’s “diabetic syringes” in his pocket, as well as a firearm they had found on the railroad tracks, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Fauls was placed in handcuffs and asked if he had any felony convictions, to which he reportedly said yes, so he is not able to possess a firearm.

Fauls then told police that he did not find the firearm where he said he did. A search of Fauls resulted in the seizure of numerous controlled substances and paraphernalia, including syringes; filter tips; six bags of suspected marijuana; two bags of suspected methamphetamine; a bag with a white pill; a bag with 45 white pills, identified as Lorazepam; a bag with four orange pills, Clonazepam; an orange/white capsule, lisdexamfetamine; a round blue pill, Clonazepam; a bag with 13 full and partial Xanax fragments; and a plastic bag with numerous rounds of ammunition, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

When asked about the contents of the bag attached to the ATV, Fauls said they belonged to Kot.

After running the ATV’s VIN, police determined that it was allegedly stolen. The handgun was examined and found to have an obliterated serial number. It was loaded with ammunition and chambered with a live round. The hammer was in the cocked position, ready to fire.

A criminal history check of Fauls showed that he was convicted of numerous crimes, including burglary in 2001 and twice for possession with intent to deliver in 2007.

Police sorted and photographed the items seized from Fauls, including 15 hypodermic syringes; multiple empty used baggies; rolling papers; cotton filter fragments; a spoon; a glass pipe; over 65 pharmaceutical pills; six bags of marijuana; and two bags of methamphetamine, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Following this incident, police also charged Kot with three misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of the use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

Fauls’ and Kot’s preliminary hearings are set for Oct. 25 at Meholick’s office.

DuBois man accused of illegally possessing gun, drugs after being stopped on stolen ATV (2024)
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