LYCOMING COUNTY, Pa. — Two Pennsylvania men are facing charges after police say they were squirrel hunting while under the influence of a controlled substance.
The charges, filed Jan. 27 by Pennsylvania Game Commission Northcentral Region Warden Harold L. Cole Jr., allege that Douglas W. Litz, 32, and Bryan T. Poust, 34, smoked marijuana prior to hunting, NorthcentralPA.com reported.
According to the outlet, the pair was stopped by a game warden on State Game Lands 252, and at least one of the suspects admitted to smoking marijuana before leaving his home to hunt on Sept. 17.
“Litz stated that yes, they did smoke at his house before they left to go hunting,” Cole wrote in the charging document.
Cole also wrote that investigators searched a minivan, determined to be registered to Poust, that “had the odor of marijuana coming from it and a blue and white glass pipe in plain view in the front seat center console.”
Warden Geril Schoonmaker reportedly patrolled the area after finding the van and saw two hunters exiting the woods carrying long guns. Schoonmaker said that he made contact with Litz and Poust and determined their hunting licenses were current, NorthcentralPA.com reported.
In addition to the glass pipe, police also found a baggie of marijuana, a box of rolling papers and a baggie of blue pills believed to be over-the-counter medication in Poust’s vehicle, which he consented to having searched, the outlet reported.
Police also conducted a field sobriety test on both men and found them to be impaired, resulting in their arrests, WTAJ reported.
According to the TV station, both men have been charged with hunting while under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and violations of commission regulations. Poust also faces additional DUI charges.
Cox Media Group
