Marijuana Small‑Amount & Paraphernalia Charges Filed in Hamlin Township
SAINT MARYS, Pa. – A McKean County Magisterial District Court has formally charged Justin Lee Winston Sr., 43, of Saint Marys, with two marijuana‑related offenses stemming from an incident in Hamlin Township on August 23, 2026.
The criminal docket, numbered MJ-48304-CR-0000124-2026, lists the following charges:
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 780‑113(A)(1)(i) – Marijuana, small amount for personal use (Grade M). Offense date: 08/23/2026.
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 780‑113(A)(3)(2) – Use or possession of drug paraphernalia (Grade M). Offense date: 08/23/2026.
Both offenses are classified as misdemeanor (Grade M) violations. The complaint was filed on August 26, 2026, after the Lewis Run Police Service (PSP) arrested Winston. Arresting officer Jack D. Lauer is identified on the docket. Winston was fingerprinted at the time of arrest.
Judge David Richard Engman, assigned to Magisterial District Court 48‑3‑04, set a preliminary arraignment for September 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the same courtroom. The case remains active and is listed as “Awaiting Preliminary Hearing.” No bail amount or conditions have been disclosed in the docket.
The McKean County District Attorney’s Office, located at the McKean County Courthouse, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749, is representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The office’s contact number is 814‑887‑3312. No private counsel has been entered; the docket notes the defendant’s counsel status as active, but no attorney name is provided.
Additional docket details include the complaint number C5AABSC44K, incident number PA 2026‑1066748, and an internal tracking number (OTN) W 1020995‑3. The case is being processed under the jurisdiction of McKean County, with the incident occurring in Hamlet Township.
As the matter proceeds, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was generated based on publicly available court docket information. While we strive for accuracy, the content may contain errors or omissions. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For official court records and legal guidance, please consult the appropriate court or legal professional.