Pottstown man sentenced for child endangerment

NORRISTOWN >> A Pottstown man is under court supervision on drug and child endangerment charges after authorities said they found illegal drugs in his home while he was caring for his 1-year-old daughter.

Aaron Lee Robinson, 30, of the 800 block of Queen Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to one month already served to 23 months in the county jail after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a small amount of marijuana. In addition to the time served sentence, Robinson must complete one year of probation following parole.

The sentence was imposed by Judge William R. Carpenter as part of a plea agreement.

According to court papers, an investigation began about 11:30 a.m. May 14, 2018, when borough police arrived at the Queen Street residence to assist the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department in serving a warrant on a woman believed to be at the residence. When sheriff’s deputies looked into a window they observed a small child and Robinson inside the residence.

“Deputies advised that they observed the male go to the kitchen trash can and dispose of something,” Pottstown Police Officer Michael J. Mitchell alleged in the arrest affidavit, adding that when deputies entered the home they encountered Robinson, who was holding his 1-year-old daughter.

“They advised that his daughter was holding a cigar which contained a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana and a lighter,” Mitchell alleged. “Deputies took the suspected marijuana cigar and lighter from the child and detained Aaron.”

Deputies also observed a glass vial containing a white rock-like substance, suspected to be methamphetamine, lying on top of trash in the kitchen trash can, according to the criminal complaint. Authorities also observed the ends of two burnt marijuana cigarettes in a bowl on the kitchen counter, according to the arrest affidavit.

“The suspected marijuana and suspected methamphetamine were later field tested and both yielded a positive result,” Mitchell alleged.

By pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of a child Robinson admitted that he knowingly violated a duty of care, protection and support while supervising a child who was less than 18 years of age.

“They (deputies) advised that his daughter was holding a cigar which contained a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana and a lighter. Deputies took the suspected marijuana cigar and lighter from the child and detained Aaron.”

— Pottstown Police Officer Michael J. Mitchell alleged in the arrest affidavit