Silver Lake Daily Newsletter.com

Deputies used a Taser on Durinko--passenger who caused injury:

Deputy injured in Warsaw traffic stop; pistol, meth and cash recovered

Paul J. Durinko

Three Pennsylvania residents have been jailed on drug and assault charges after a traffic stop turned violent, Wyoming County sheriff’s deputies said.

Joseph A. Brennan Jr., 56, of Giardville, Pa. was stopped for a traffic violation Wednesday on Route 20A.

Further investigation revealed Brennan possessed a loaded 9 mm Ruger semiautomatic handgun in his front right pants pocket which was loaded with 13 rounds, deputies said.

Brennan was also allegedly found in possession of 2.38 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his front left pants pocket. He was taken into custody without incident.

Three other vehicle occupants were detained at the scene, which was near Burns Road.

While deputies were conducting pat downs of the passengers, the rear right seat passenger, Paul J. Durinko, 53, of Giardville allegedly began pushing them away from him.

He is then accused of grabbing onto the deputies and injuring one by kicking him three times in the ribs with his knee. Deputies used a Taser on Durinko, who was taken into custody after a struggle.

Durinko was then found in possession of 3.6 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, deputies said.

A total of $7,320 in cash was seized from within the vehicle, deputies said. It was seized and impounded.

All four of the vehicle’s occupants were taken to the Sheriff’s Office for further interviews and investigation. Three were then charged.

All three were committed to Wyoming County Jail without bail and are to appear Feb. 7 in Town Court.

Those charged included:

■ Brennan was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was also charged with driving with non-transparent side windows.

■ Durinko was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree assault, resisting arrest, and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

■ Siobhan N. Heiser, 43, of Girardville was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Girardville is about 30 miles southwest of Scranton, Pa.

• By MATT SURTEL, msurtel@batavianews.com