NARCOTICS/FIREARMS INVESTIGATION

PRESS RELEASE – May 28th 2024
Incident No. 24-1396

On Saturday April 27th 2024 Weatherly Police Narcotics Unit began an investigation into the illegal sale of Narcotics and stolen firearms. Throughout the month-long investigation, Weatherly Police Officers conducted several controlled undercover operations to purchase multiple stolen firearms including shotguns and handguns with serial numbers obliterated to avoid tracing along with large amounts of methamphetamine.

On Tuesday May 28th 2024 the Weatherly Police conducted the final controlled purchase of Methamphetamine from the suspects. The suspects arrived in the Borough and delivered the narcotics where Weatherly Police Officers surrounded the suspects vehicle and both occupants were taken into custody without incident where they were transported back to the Weatherly Police Station for questioning. Charges filed by Officer Silfee were as follows:

Jeffrey W. Wilkinson, 28, of Freeland faces charges of: 4 counts – Person not to possess firearm (F2), 1 count – Possession Firearm W/ manufacturer number altered (F2), 3 counts – Firearm ownership (F3), 1 count Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3), 3 counts – Manufacture, Deliver, or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver Controlled Substance (F), 3 counts- Criminal Conspiracy. Wilkinson was arraigned by Magistrate Homanko and bail was set at $250,000.00 straight. Wilkinson was unable to post bail and was remanded to the Carbon County Correctional Facility awaiting Preliminary Hearing.

Ryan M. Berger, 34, of Freeland faces charges of Manufacture, Deliver, or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver Controlled Substance (F), 2 counts – Possession of Controlled Substance by Person Not Registered (F), 2 counts – Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3), and 3 Counts Criminal Conspiracy (F). Berger was arraigned by Magistrate Homanko and bail was set at $100,000.00 straight. Berger was unable to post bail and was remanded to the Carbon County Correctional Facility awaiting Preliminary Hearing.

Media contact – Officer Michael Eyer, Weatherly Police Department, 570-427-4241 ext. 109. m.eyer@weatherlypd.com