In a media release to The Press April 20, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced an Emmaus man has been charged with multiple offenses.

John Anthony Hanson, 25, of the block of Chestnut Street, is charged with two counts each of a person not to possess a firearm, a felony of the second degree; manufacture, deliver, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony; and possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance, a misdemeanor. Hanson also is charged with seven counts of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. In addition, Hanson is charged with one count each of simple assault, a misdemeanor; and harassment, a summary offense.

The charges stem from an alleged incident described in the media release as follows:

On April 17, members of the Emmaus Police Department and the Lehigh County Drug Task Force executed a search at a residence in the 700 block of Chestnut Street. The search was prompted by a report received by the Emmaus Police Department of an altercation, which had occurred earlier that day at approximately 2:40 p.m., during which Hanson allegedly threatened another person with a handgun.

As a result of the search, officers found the tenant, John Hanson, to allegedly be in possession of a loaded Jiminez Arms 9mm handgun, an SKS 7.62 mm rifle and ammunition. The defendant is currently on state parole and is not permitted to possess a firearm, according to authorities.

In addition to the firearms and ammunition, officers found alleged packaging materials, two digital scales, a glass smoking pipe, 163 bags of heroin, a bag of methamphetamine and a rock of methamphetamine. The drugs found field tested with positive results, according to police.

Hanson was arraigned through Central Booking by Magisterial District Judge Tom Creighton on the simple assault and harassment charges April 17. Bail was set at $10,000. Hanson was incarcerated in Lehigh County Jail on a state parole detainer.

Hanson was arraigned on the remaining charges by Magisterial District Judge Donna Butler, who set bail at $40,000 April 18, according to authorities.

As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation; and the defendant, John Hanson, is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.