Port Matilda man acquitted in Lycoming County
A Port Matilda man has been acquitted of charges that accused him of being part of scheme to steal money from bank ATMs.
A Lycoming County jury Wednesday found Meade Hamilton Lewis, 22, did not willingly participate in the plot while he was a student at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport in 2013.
Two of his roommates testified during the two-day trial, saying he was involved in the planning although they were the ones who unsuccessfully tried to break into three ATMs.
Charges against Lewis included a weapon of mass destruction and possession of explosive material because a bomb made of PVC pipe and gunpowder was used to try to break into one of the bank machines.
Lewis, who testified on his own behalf, told jurors whatever information he provided his then-roommates he did so because he and his family had been threatened.
Also charged in the case are Jordan Christopher Smith, 22, of West Hanover Township in Dauphin County, and Neiko Alexander Pratt, 20, of Moreland, Montgomery County.
The two, who are scheduled to plead guilty, testified against Lewis alleging he made the bomb.
Lewis testified he did not know how to make a bomb and explained he bought gunpowder at the Wal-Mart in Montoursville because he had an interest in shooting and had guns at home.
The gunpowder purchase occurred just before the Nov. 1, 2013, attempt to break into the Muncy Bank & Trust ATM in Montoursville using a bomb that failed to detonate.
Jurors heard conflicting testimony on the relationship of the three young men who had not met each other until they arrived on the Penn College campus.
Smith and Pratt described the three as good friends who did things together.
Lewis said he often would drive the other two because they were short on money but testified he was scared of Pratt because he pretended to be a member of the Bloods street gang.
He claimed Pratt threatened to kill him, his family and his then-girlfriend after raping her. Although the threat was not reported to police, Lewis’ father, Spencer Lewis, testified precautionary measures were taken at the home.
Welding equipment was used in attempts to break into ATMs at the Wyrope Williamsport Federal Credit Union in South Williamsport on Dec. 4, 2013, and at West Milton State Bank near the West Milton interchange of Route 15 four days later.
Smith and Pratt were arrested by state police who responded to alarm activation at the West Milton ATM.
Lewis, an emergency medical technician, had an oxygen tank he claimed went missing from his Penn College room.
He explained he bought the tank not to help his roommates in the ATM plot but to take home because his younger sister has a breathing condition that at times requires resuscitation.
Other charges on which Lewis was acquitted were possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and conspiracy to commit theft, criminal mischief and reckless exploding.
This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Port Matilda man acquitted in Lycoming County."