Stephon Burgette Case: Former Dunmore Sergeant Pleaded Guilty After Evidence Room Drug Charges

 DUNMORE, PENNSYLVANIA — A Dunmore police sergeant is facing drug-related charges after surrendering to authorities Friday at Central Court in Scranton, bringing a troubling investigation involving alleged cocaine use and police evidence into the court system. Sergeant Stephon Burgette is accused of conduct that investigators say occurred while he was on duty, including an alleged incident inside the Dunmore Police Department headquarters.

According to court documents, investigators allege that Burgette ingested cocaine and later collapsed at his desk inside the police department in November. The allegations take on additional significance because investigators say the cocaine had been taken from evidence maintained by the department. That claim has placed attention not only on the alleged drug use but also on how a controlled substance in police custody was reportedly obtained.

The court paperwork describes an investigation centered on the circumstances surrounding the alleged narcotics use inside the police facility. Investigators have reportedly examined what happened before Burgette collapsed, how the cocaine was allegedly accessed, and whether evidence under departmental control was improperly removed. Those questions are central to understanding the allegations and could become important as the case moves through the legal process.

Burgette’s position as a police sergeant adds another layer to the case because law enforcement officers are entrusted with handling evidence and enforcing laws involving controlled substances. The allegations described in the court documents therefore concern conduct that investigators say occurred within the same department responsible for maintaining police evidence. However, the accusations remain allegations, and the available information does not establish that the claims have been proven in court.

The reported collapse at Burgette’s desk became part of an investigation that eventually led to the charges now before the court. Investigators are examining the alleged sequence of events, including the reported source of the cocaine and the circumstances in which it was allegedly removed from evidence. Determining how the substance was obtained is a significant part of the case because evidence held by a police department is subject to procedures designed to preserve its integrity.

Friday’s surrender at Central Court in Scranton represents a formal step in the proceedings. Rather than resolving the allegations, the court process will provide an opportunity for the claims against Burgette to be addressed through the legal system. As with any criminal case, the charges do not by themselves establish guilt, and the facts must ultimately be determined through the appropriate judicial process.

The case has drawn attention in Dunmore because it involves a member of the local police department and allegations concerning both drug use and access to police evidence. For a community, accusations involving an officer can raise serious questions about professional conduct and institutional safeguards, even while the legal process is still unfolding. Authorities may provide additional information as the investigation and court proceedings continue.

For now, Burgette’s case remains centered on allegations described in court documents and the questions investigators are seeking to answer. The circumstances surrounding the alleged cocaine use, the reported removal of the substance from evidence, and the events at police headquarters may become clearer as proceedings advance. Until the facts are established in court, the allegations should be treated as unproven claims against the Dunmore sergeant.