Police: Men tried to buy 80 pounds of pot from undercover trooper
Two Burgettstown men were arrested Thursday night after they allegedly tried to purchase 80 pounds of marijuana, only to find out the “seller” was an undercover state trooper.
James Daniel Lemmi, 35, and Ryan C. Stoughton, 35, both of 1044 Steubenville Pike, are charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana and conspiracy.
State police had established surveillance in the parking lot of Key Bank Pavilion on Route 18 in Hanover Township when they said the two arrived about 10:20 p.m. The marijuana was hidden in a rundown pickup truck that was on the back of a car hauler occupied by an undercover trooper.
Lemmi allegedly spoke with the driver about the marijuana-filled pickup truck. The purchase price for the truck and marijuana was to be $1,000, but he only had $300, police said. The two allegedly left and went to an automated teller machine to withdraw more money.
Police said the two returned about 30 minutes later with an additional $500, paid $800 and signed for the truck, at which point the undercover trooper removed the vehicle from the hauler. Additional troopers converged and took Lemmi and Stoughton into custody.
Both were arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward and placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bonds. They are scheduled for a March 2 preliminary hearing before District Judge Gary Havelka.