A Lehighton man accused of possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia at a Towamensing Township home where he had been staying has waived his preliminary hearing, according to court records.

Richard Armbruster, 52, appeared Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge William J. Kissner in Palmerton.

He waived charges including possession with intent to deliver, illegal possession of controlled substances, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal manufacturing or selling.

Following the hearing, Armbruster remained in Carbon County Correctional Facility on $150,000 cash bail.

According to an affidavit filed by Trooper Gary Fedor of the Pennsylvania State Police in Lehighton: On the morning of April 7 at 8:54 a.m., police were alerted that a man had arrived at the emergency room of St. Luke’s Carbon Campus with a gunshot wound to the foot.

Troopers Fedor and Mark Bower interviewed Armbruster, who had been shot in the right foot with what appeared to be shotgun pellets.

Armbruster told police he had been shot by his friend, Bernard Wayne, in the dining room of Wayne’s home around 3 p.m. that day.

He denied that either of them had been using drugs or alcohol at the time and said he waited several hours before seeking medical attention because he didn’t want police involved or Wayne to get arrested.

Later that evening, around 8:16 p.m., police interviewed another man at the hospital who said Armbruster had called him around 3:40 p.m. to say he’d been shot by Wayne.

The man said he knew Armbruster to use methamphetamine but didn’t know if Wayne used drugs.

He also confirmed that Armbruster had been living with Wayne.

During a search of Wayne’s home, Trooper Ryan English found a gun safe in the garage that smelled strongly of chemicals and marijuana. Inside, he found suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia, containers used for storing drugs, a large amount of cash, and two pellet guns. Two more search warrants were later issued. Investigators recovered approximately 311 grams of suspected marijuana, various pills and suspected cocaine, packaging materials, several cellphones, homemade explosives, and personal items belonging to Armbruster — including his Pennsylvania ID and checkbook, as well as a check from Wayne made out to Armbruster.

Authorities said the items in the safe were consistent with drug dealing. Wayne told police Armbruster had been living with him for about a year and had been using the gun safe.

He also said he had seen Armbruster hand small baggies with white powder to visitors and that Armbruster had given him drugs as well.

Neighbors said they had noticed a steady stream of vehicles coming and going from the home at all hours.

Court records show Bernard S. Wayne was charged April 8 with aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

He was released on $50,000 bail and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.