Seward man admitted possessing over 18 bricks of heroin and meth after search, troopers say

A 39-year-old Westmoreland County Prison inmate was arraigned on new charges of possessing more than 18 bricks of heroin found during a search at a Fairfield home almost a year ago, according to court documents.

Jeffrey Lych of Seward has been a prison inmate since his October arrest by Lower Burrell police for possession of heroin and methamphetamine.

The new charges filed against Lych include of manufacturing, delivery and possession of heroin and methamphetamine and receiving stolen property. They stem from a state police search of a house where Lych was visiting on April 6 in Fairfield. Police found Lych in possession of “large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine,” they said.

Trooper Joshua Wiskeman also alleged in court documents that during the search Lych admitted possessing a stolen .308 caliber rifle that troopers found inside the residence in the 1000 block of South 6th Street.

Wiskeman and Trooper Christopher Cole said they had received tips that there was a lot of traffic to and from the house, indicating drug activity and there were reports of firearms inside.

When Cole and Wiskeman arrived at the home, Wiskeman said the resident invited the troopers inside. The two residents, who are not charged, denied selling drugs and consented to allow the troopers to search.

Wiskeman said that Lych was located in a rear bedroom with two other people.

“While speaking with Lych, he denied having any narcotics in the residence,” Wiskeman wrote in court papers.

During the search, Wiskeman said troopers discovered three plastic bags of containing 25 grams of methamphetamine, 875 stamp bags of heroin and the rifle.

“Lych took ownership of all items seized in the residence,” Wiskeman wrote. “Lych related that he sells heroin to support his drug habit. He related that he travels to Pittsburgh every other day to re-up (contraband supplies).”

Lych told troopers that a drug customer left the rifle with him.

On Oct. 20, 2021, Lych was arrested by Lower Burrell police along with his wife, Shelley, 39, both passengers in a car driven by a New Florence man. Police pulled over their Mercury sedan because the faded license plate had been highlighted with a magic marker, according to police.

Police discovered quantities of heroin and methamphetamine hidden throughout the car, including inside a potato chip container. The Lyches told police they owned the drugs, both were arrested and jailed after failing to post $10,000 bond.

A hearing on the Lower Burrell arrest is scheduled Feb. 22, according to court dockets.

Bond was set at $25,000 on the Fairfield case and a hearing is scheduled Feb. 11 before Ligonier District Judge Denise Thiel. Lych did not have an attorney listed in court documents.