Investigation into stolen checks results in drug charges for Emporium man

An investigation into the theft and unauthorized use of two books of blank checks ended up with an Emporium man incarcerated for drug-related charges after methamphetamine and paraphernalia used in its manufacture and distribution were found at his residence and in his vehicle.

Dennis Michael Cressley, 63, of 231 S. Mountain Rd., Emporium, is facing charges in relation to the incident, according to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Barry Brown in Emporium.

The investigation began on March 10 when a victim arrived at PSP Emporium to report that a check belonging to the victim had been cashed by Cressley, but the signature on the check did not belong to the victim. The victim alleged that they had not distributed the check to anyone, and it was determined that the check was not made out to Cressley from the victim.

The investigation revealed that the victim had recently ordered new checks and was missing two books of blank checks from that shipped order. The numbers of these missing books of checks included the number on the check that was cashed by Cressley.

On March 13 at approximately 8:53 a.m., a search warrant was executed at Cressley’s residence. During the execution of this search warrant, troopers discovered a metal spoon with a white, translucent substance believed to be methamphetamine residue on a desk located in Cressley’s bedroom. Troopers also observed a glass jar with a green leafy substance inside of it which was believed to be marijuana. In addition, troopers observed a Ziploc bag containing numerous small glassine bags considered to be packaging material. These items were observed lying on top of the desk in plain view.

The search warrant was also executed on Cressley’s Chevrolet Silverado, and the search of that vehicle revealed an unlabeled prescription pill bottle located in the center console. The pill bottle was found to contain green leafy material suspected to be marijuana, and a multi-colored smoking device was also discovered next to the pill bottle in the center console.

Based on this information, an additional search warrant was applied for and approved by District Court 59-3-01 to include drugs and drugrelated paraphernalia. Upon conducting the search warrants, the following items were discovered and seized: three plastic bags containing methamphetamine located in Cressley’s bedroom, a plastic bag containing psilocybin mushrooms found in Cressley’s bedroom, three containers of marijuana found in Cressley’s bedroom, one container of marijuana found in Cressley’s vehicle, two marijuana joints found in Cressley’s vehicle, a plastic grinder with marijuana residue found in Cressley’s bedroom, a metal spoon with methamphetamine residue found in Cressley’s bedroom, a digital scale with residue found in Cressley’s bedroom, a digital scale found in Cressley’s vehicle, three glass pipes with residue found in

Cressley’s bedroom, a YETI diversion can safe found in Cressley’s vehicle, paper instructions on how to manufacture methamphetamine found in Cressley’s vehicle, a clear bag with an unknown black tar substance found in Cressley’s bedroom, a package containing a blk amount of glassine bags used for packaging methamphetamine found in Cressley’s bedroom, $1,000 in US currency found in Cressley’s bedroom, and a notebook containing information of suspected drug runs found in Cressley’s vehicle.

It was not mentioned whether anything was discovered in relation to the stolen checks.

Preliminary arraignment for Cressley was held at 2 p.m. on Monday before Judge Brown.

Cressley is facing one ungraded felony charge of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; one ungraded misdemeanor charge of intent to possess a controlled substance by a person not regulated; one ungraded misdemeanor charge of marijuana – small amount for personal use; one ungraded misdemeanor charge of use/possession of drug paraphernalia; and one first-degree misdemeanor charge of receiving stolen property.

Bail for Cressley was set at $100,000 monetary. Unable to post bail, Cressley was incarcerated at McKean County Prison.

A preliminary hearing for Cressley is scheduled to be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 30 before Judge Brown.