James Francis

A Butler man, who was wanted on a felony arrest warrant, allegedly was found with an ounce-and-a-half of methamphetamine and more than $2,800 after he was arrested in Summit Township, authorities said.

James L. Francis, 23, is facing drug and other charges. He is free on $50,000 bail.

Butler police had been looking for Francis since they say he pulled out a handgun during a confrontation with another man apparently over the revving of a motorcycle on a city street in June.

On July 2, they obtained a warrant for his arrest in that incident.

State police shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday alerted Butler police that they had spotted Francis driving a pickup on Route 422, authorities said. Troopers, who were aware of the warrant, later stopped him at a store at Route 422 and Bonniebrook Road in Summit Township.

Butler police Sgt. Nicholas Shulik said Francis was taken to the city police station, and the property he had with him was searched. In a backpack, police said, was 42.64 grams of suspected meth, $2,828 and a digital scale.

He was arraigned Thursday on a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Additionally, Francis was arraigned on charges stemming from the incident June 29 in the 200 block of Franklin Street in Butler where police were called about 4 p.m. for a report of a man brandishing a gun.

The victim, a 47-year-old Summit Township man, told police that he was doing plumbing work at a home when a man on a motorcycle drove up and revved the engine.

Police said the victim recounted that he threw his hands up as a way to show his displeasure. The other man, later identified as Francis, again revved the engine.

The two men subsequently exchanged words, police said. The victim told officers that the defendant removed a handgun from his waistband. After more words were traded, Francis allegedly put the gun back in his waistband.

The victim tried to grab Francis, who in turn allegedly attempted to hit the older man with his helmet, according to charging documents. The victim admitted that he then took a swing at the suspect with his right hand, police said, but missed.

The defendant eventually drove away and no one was injured.

Officers said they later found a neighbor who provided police with video of the incident from his home's surveillance system. The video corroborated the victim's account, police said.

The investigation led to Francis' identification. Police said they checked with the county sheriff's office and learned that the defendant does not have a concealed carry permit.

Francis in that case is charged with possession of a firearm without a carry license, a felony, and terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, being a habitual offender for driving with a suspended license, and disorderly conduct, all misdemeanors.

Online court records did not list an attorney for him, and he could not be reached for comment Sunday.