SUNBURY - A 32-year-old Coal Township man, who was charged in connection with what is believed to be the largest seizure of drugs from a single dealer in the local area, had his bail significantly reduced Monday afternoon, but still remains in Northumberland County Prison.
Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage reduced the bail of Jeffrey J. Persavage Jr. from $100,000 to $25,000 unsecured, meaning the defendant only needs to post 10 percent ($2,500) to be set free. But as of early Monday night, Persavage remained incarcerated at the county jail.
Persavage's attorney, Peter Campana, argued that his client had been imprisoned since early January in Monroe and Northumberland counties and was entitled by law to nominal bail since he had not yet gone to trial. Sacavage granted Campana's request despite objections by Senior Deputy Attorney General David Gorman, who is prosecuting the case.
More than $65K in drugs
Persavage was charged by Mount Carmel Sgt. Todd Owens and Sunbury Patrolman Travis Bremgien of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force with possessing more than $65,000 worth of drugs after undercover officers made a drug purchase on June 22, 2010, on West Second Street in Mount Carmel.
The officers bought an eighth of an ounce of cocaine and some marijuana from Persavage, who was later stopped just outside the borough and had his car searched. The search revealed a large amount of narcotics, including more than three pounds of marijuana, more than a half-pound of cocaine, more than 300 MDMA tablets, more commonly known as ecstasy, and two forms of hashish, known as "Black Tar" and "Golden Nugget."
Persavage was charged with 10 felony charges and five misdemeanor charges of possession with intent to sell controlled substances.
He was held for court on the charges by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel on Aug. 3.