Mar 31, 2016 2 min read

A Washington woman faces drug and assault charges after she allegedly scuffled with an undercover state trooper who had her room at a South Strabane Township motel under surveillance. Police were preparing to serve a search warrant on her room after she allegedly sold drugs to a confidential informant.

Aujah Lynn Wade, 24, of 335 Jefferson Ave., is accused of selling suspected heroin to confidential informants, once Feb. 17 and again Tuesday, while she was at Motel 6 in South Strabane Township. Undercover troopers said they monitored the transactions between Wade and the informants.

On Wednesday, state police obtained a search warrant from Judge Gary Gilman to search the room where Wade was staying. Surveillance was set up about 1:30 p.m. in preparation for the execution of the warrant and the arrest of Wade for allegedly selling the heroin.

The motel staff was going to try to get Wade to the office to discuss three pit bulls found in the room. The staff tried to call Wade’s room, but the telephone apparently was off the hook. A few minutes later, police said Wade and a female friend left the room, walking the dogs to the rear of a nearby building. Trooper Aaron Gilbert approached Wade and her friend and identified himself as a state trooper. He ordered them to get on the ground, but they failed to comply, police said. Wade allegedly handed off the dog she was walking and charged at Gilbert, swinging at him. Gilbert grabbed Wade by the neck and hip, tossing her to the ground, police said. She allegedly kept her arms outstretched and yelled obscenities. A second trooper arrived to help take her into custody.

Wade was taken to Washington Hospital for injuries suffered during the scuffle with Gilbert.

Police searched the room and said they found suspected marijuana, paraphernalia and a cellphone. When Wade was searched at the hospital, a trooper found $638 in her pocket.

Wade was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver heroin and possession of marijuana, aggravated and simple assault and resisting arrest. She was placed in Washington County jail on $35,000 bond. She is scheduled for an April 25 preliminary hearing before District Judge Jay Weller.