MAHONING TOWNSHIP -- A police chief in Montour County was arraigned Wednesday morning on charges related to "huffing."
Mahoning Township Police Chief Chad Thomas, 41, of Bloomsburg was taken before a magistrate near Danville.
Thomas walked out of district court with the sergeant who is temporarily taking his place as chief of the Mahoning Township police department.
Thomas faces two charges alleging he inhaled compressed air to get high, which is also known as "huffing."
"I'm really not surprised. Anything can happen with any person," said Laura Permuter.
According to court papers, Thomas admitted to huffing a can of compressed air while on duty back in May. He told investigators he was under a lot of stress personally and professionally and started huffing as a temporary escape.
"I think that that is crazy," said Mahoning Township resident Richard Brown. "From what I know, he seems like an OK guy."
One of the township supervisors said Thomas was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the charges.
Thomas has been in law enforcement for 18 years and a member of the Mahoning Township police department for five years.
"When you have a big responsibility over people as far as safety and watching the people, you should be all together in your head," said township resident Brunilda Torres-Martinez.
People we spoke with who know Thomas hope for the best for him.
"Most important is he gets help. If that is the situation that he did make some bad decisions, is that he gets help and it's not a habit," said Brown.
Sgt. Chris Prescott is now the acting police chief of Mahoning Township.
The state attorney general's office says no additional charges are expected against other members of the department.
Chad Thomas is scheduled for a preliminary hearing later this month.
