A Hazleton man has been charged with drug trafficking after he was arrested by U.S. Marshals and the Fugitive Task Force in Banks Township.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by trooper Terry Tirko of the Pennsylvania State Police in Hazleton in the case against Jonathon Skonieczny, 37:

On Dec. 8, Tirko was called to assist the agencies and the state parole board in taking Skonieczny into custody for a parole violation. They attempted to take him into custody on the corner of Poplar Street and East Market Street in Banks Township as he was entering the driver’s seat of a 2008 Ford Fusion.

When police identified themselves, Skonieczny ran, throwing away a key to the car.

After a short foot pursuit, Skonieczny struggled, resisting arrest.

Police said Skonieczny had 10 white waxine bags stamped “No (expletive),” containing suspected heroin and/or fentanyl, and a loaded Ruger 8 mm handgun.

Skonieczny has multiple felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a gun.

The car was towed from the scene while police obtained a search warrant.

Police found a camo case containing hypodermic needles; seven hypodermic needles from a book bag; a hidden compartment Monster can; a zippered bag containing drug packaging material; a silver digital scale; a glass smoking device with suspected drug residue; 600 waxine bags stamped “No (expletive)” containing suspected heroin and fentanyl; two used hypodermic needles; two empty white waxine bags stamped “No (expletive)”; a metal grinder with suspected marijuana residue; two glass smoking devices; a red metal grinder from the trunk and a brown box.

Skonieczny faces charges of possession of contraband substance; manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; use/possession of drug paraphernalia; resisting arrest; fleeing police; possession of firearm prohibited; and firearms not to be carried without license.

He is free in lieu of $200,000 unsecured bail (due to an agreement with the ADA and police), and scheduled to have his formal arraignment Feb. 12, 2021, at the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office in Jim Thorpe.