Charges Lessened, Probation Sentence for Whitehall Teen in Drug Bust

A Whitehall Borough teenager pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors but avoided three felony drug charges as the result of his April 24 non-jury trial at the Allegheny County Courthouse, according to an online docket sheet.

Ryan Christopher Brooks, 18, of 3197 Bel Air Dr., pleaded guilty before Judge Anthony M. Mariani to two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of making repairs, selling or otherwise dealing in, using or possessing an offensive weapon.

Meantime, Brooks' felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver were withdrawn. The guilty plea is labeled as "negotiated" on the docket sheet.

Brooks was sentenced to complete one year of probation for both drug misdemeanors and three years of probation for the weapon charge.

Officers, according to Whitehall police Chief Donald R. Dolfi, were involved in an "ongoing investigation" of 3197 Bel Air for some time regarding possible drug activity there before executing a search warrant on the home on July 31.

The officers, acting on information given to them by concerned residents of the immediate area, had been conducting surveillance on a resident of that address, according to the chief.

When the officers finally entered 3197 Bel Air on July 31, they discovered three people inside, approximately a half-pound of marijuana and some related drug paraphernalia, Dolfi said.

Read through other Whitehall police items here.

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