Arnold man to serve up to 6 years on drug, gun charges
An Arnold man pleaded guilty Monday in Westmoreland County Court to drug and gun charges resulting from an arrest two years ago.
Police said that on Sept. 8, 2017, while attempting to arrest Travis James Lasko Jr. on a parole revocation warrant, they found drugs, cash and an unlicensed firearm tucked into a shirt pocket as they dragged him from a car on Drey Street in Arnold.
According to court records, Lasko, 37, became violent as police attempted to make the arrest and, once he was subdued, they found him in possession of four baggies that contained nearly 140 grams of cocaine, more than $5,700 in cash and a pistol.
In court Monday, Lasko pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm, drug possession, resisting arrest and other offenses.
Westmoreland County Judge Rita Hathaway sentenced Lasko to a mitigated sentence of three to six years in prison. The judge said she agreed to a lesser sentence because Lasko has been diagnosed with mental health issues.
Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com.
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