The Express-Times | By Colin McEvoy
Christian Neith, who was wanted by police after he failed to attend a court hearing Monday, is back in Northampton County Prison.
Neith, 21, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to smuggling a gun into the prison, was due in court Monday after he violated conditions of his bail by twice failing drug tests for heroin.
A bench warrant was issued by Northampton County Judge Stephen Baratta after Neith failed to attend that hearing. But prison officials said he was back in the Easton facility as of this afternoon.
It is unclear whether Neith turned himself in or was arrested. His attorney, Jim Burke, did not respond to a phone message left late this evening.
Neith, of Bethlehem, sneaked a loaded 9mm handgun into the prison when he was arrested for a domestic dispute Dec. 29, according to court papers. He dumped the gun behind a file cabinet, where prison officials found it Jan. 5.
Law enforcement officers, including Bethlehem police and Northampton County sheriffs, failed to find the weapon before he hid it.
Prior to his hearing Monday, Neith had been free on $100,000 unsecured bail since February.
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