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WILKES-BARRE — A scuffle with state conservation officers two weeks ago on North Washington Street that led to a handcuffed man being hauled away in an ambulance started as undercover investigation targeting the illegal sale of turtles, according to charging documents filed Monday.
According to a criminal complaint filed with Magisterial District Judge Thomas Malloy, John James Cregg and his 14-year-old nephew were contacted on July 1 by Fish and Boat Commission waterways conservation officers, who had arranged via Facebook to purchase reptiles from an online seller.
Officers from the commission’s Special Investigations Unit had arranged the purchase, and had uniformed officers standing by to assist, the complaint says. When the officers contacted Cregg and asked what he was doing, he allegedly told them he was “just selling some turtles.”
When officers determined Cregg had a warrant for his arrest, he allegedly attempted to flee. According to the complaint, the 14-year-old then jumped on one of the officers and had to be pulled off by another.
Officers said they had to use baton strikes and OC spray to subdue Cregg, and at least one drew his firearm. The complaint says officers were eventually able to secure Cregg in handcuffs, and were assisted by Wilkes-Barre city police officers who had arrived on scene.
Cregg was removed from the scene by ambulance and after being medically cleared at an area hospital, transported to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
Cregg now faces felony charges of two counts of assaulting a police officer, two counts of aggravated assault and a count of disarming a law enforcement officer without authorization, as well as a slew of misdemeanor and summary charges including multiple counts of violating state fish and wildlife laws.
He was arraigned on Monday in front of Malloy, and remains incarcerated because of failure to make bail and on other outstanding warrants.
The complaint says the 14-year-old was referred to the juvenile division of the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office and released into his mother’s custody.