A pair of men from the Lehigh Valley are facing dozens of charges after they allegedly attempted to sell veteran grave markers at a recycling center in Hatfield Township.
Police were tipped off to the attempted sale at 11:07 a.m. on Jan. 18 after receiving a call from Emert’s Recycling along the 2700 block of Richmond Road. The caller stated that three men had attempted to sell 14 veteran grave markers then left the scene in a green station wagon when the purchase was declined, according to the criminal complaint.
An employee from Emert’s Recycling kept one of the markers on scene as evidence for police, the report states, however as police were enroute to the scene, they observed the suspect’s vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.
Police identified the front seat passenger as 34-year-old Michael Marx, of Catasaqua, and the rear seat passenger as 30-year-old Charles Bishop, of Allentown. The driver’s name is being withheld as he has not been charged in connection with the investigation.
The complaint states that police located a black bag in the rear of the vehicle containing 13 veteran grave markers. Bishop told police he did not know what was in the bag, and believed the contents of the bag were provided to Marx from two men named “Mark” and “Ralph,” the report states. Marx, however, stated that he did not know anyone named “Mark” or “Ralph” and instead claimed “I guess Charlie just had them,” according to police.
A further search of the vehicle uncovered two glass pipes used to smoke methamphetamine under the front passenger seat of the vehicle, police said.
Back at the recycling center, police were told Marx first attempted to sell the markers, however when he was asked for a valid ID, he went back to the vehicle and Bishop then entered and provided his ID, the report states. Employees at the center informed Bishop that the sale of veteran grave markers was illegal, then returned the bag to the suspects, police said.
As a result of the incident, both Bishop and Marx were charged on Feb. 11 with 14 misdemeanor counts of prohibited sales of veteran grave markers, 14 counts intentionally retaining or disposing of veteran grave markers, and a single count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to court records, charges against Bishop and Marx we filed via summons, meaning they have not yet been arraigned and bail has not been set. Both men have a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Andrea Duffy on March 23, at which time bail will be set.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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