4/12/17
by News Department on 04/12/17Charges dropped...
The former Gilberton borough police chief charged with lying on an application for the purchase of a firearm had charges against him dismissed Tuesday.
45 year old Mark A. Kessler, of Frackville, appeared for a preliminary hearing on charges of felony-making false statements pertaining to the sale or transfer of firearms and misdemeanor unsworn falsification to authorities.
State police Cpl. Alan Zulick, of the Frackville station, testified that on May 5, 2016, Kessler tried to purchase a firearm at Dunham’s store in the Schuylkill Mall.
The transaction was denied and a subsequent investigation revealed that Kessler provided inaccurate information while completing the paperwork pertaining to criminal history.
After hearing testimony from the arresting officer, Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko dismissed both charges, saying the commonwealth did not produce enough evidence to meet the required burden of proof.
