A Middletown Township man was sentenced on Friday, June 30, 2023, to 11 to 22 years in state prison on several drug and gun violations, including shooting at a police drone during an arrest attempt last summer.
John Palaio Jr., 51, of Pleasant Avenue in Middletown, was found guilty of 19 charges, including seven felonies, by Common Pleas Judge Charissa J. Liller during a waiver trial in May.
Palaio was convicted on several counts of prohibited possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, making repairs to or selling offensive weapons, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of an instrument of crime, criminal use of a communication facility, and criminal mischief.
Middletown Township Police attempted to serve an arrest warrant at his home on drug and weapons charges on July 6, 2022. Police received information that Palaio was at his home and used a police drone to confirm that he was on the property.