MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Police informant Jason P. Blubaugh was arrested last week in Fairfield County on charges of theft and falsification. A key witness for the prosecution in three pending Knox County felony drug trials, Blubaugh was picked up by Lancaster Police on March 24 for allegedly stealing video games and a coat from a Target store.
Blubaugh was also indicted by a Delaware Grand Jury on March 7 for felony possession of heroin.
According to the Lancaster Police report, Blubaugh was identified by store security as the same man who stole video games on two previous occasions. The report states security officers were unable to apprehend Blubaugh at the time of the previous thefts.
According to the investigating officer, when Blubaugh was initially questioned, he identified himself as Chad Allen Blubaugh, a relative who is of a similar age. Although the Social Security number Jason Blubaugh gave officers was verified as belonging to Chad Blubaugh, Jason did not fit the physical description of Chad. The officer said that after approximately 30 minutes of questioning, Blubaugh admitted his true name was Jason Blubaugh.
If convicted and sentenced consecutively on the theft and falisifaction charges, both first-degree misdemeanors, Blubaugh could face up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. In Delaware, Blubaugh faces a year in prison and $2,500 in fines.
Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher filed a motion Monday to have Blubaugh transported from the Fairfield County Jail to Knox County on April 8 to testify in the case of Jay W. Newland.
Newland is accused of trafficking in crack cocaine, a second-degree felony, aggravated trafficking in drugs (Morphine), a fourth-degree felony, and two counts of doctor shopping, fourth-degree felonies.
