Salesman accused of copying state trooper’s business card

April 9
Car dealer allegedly forged cop signatures

Salesman accused of copying state trooper’s business card on a letter to child molester.

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer / www.timesleader.com

HAZLETON – A 67-year-old used-car salesman is accused of copying a state police trooper’s business card on a letter he drafted stating a convicted child molester wouldn’t serve prison time. 

Authorities allege Emil J. Pozza, of West Fifth Street, Hazleton, addressed the letter to Raymond Carbe, 42, stating Carbe wouldn’t be convicted or serve a prison sentence on child sex offenses. Pozza copied a trooper’s business card and signed two troopers’ signatures to the letter, authorities allege.

Police did not indicate a possible motive.

Carbe, formerly of East Walnut Street, Hazleton, pleaded guilty to three child sex charges in May 2008, and was sentenced to 16 to 32 years in state prison.

Pozza, a friend of Carbe’s, was arraigned by District Judge Joseph Zola in Hazleton on Tuesday on two counts each of impersonating a public servant and forgery. He was released after posting $5,000 bail on Tuesday.

According to the criminal complaint:

Two troopers interviewed Pozza, owner of Cedar Auto Sales on West Church Street, Hazleton, in July 2008 in connection with vehicle thefts from car lots.

“Pozza wished to provide information in exchange for sentencing consideration or a change of correctional facility for Raymond Carbe,” the criminal complaint says.

After the troopers denied his request, the criminal complaint says, Pozza said he wanted money for his cooperation. The troopers left their business cards with Pozza.

In January, the trooper that interviewed Pozza in July was shown a letter that was addressed to Carbe.

In the letter, Pozza claimed he was working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state police, and at the conclusion of the investigation of Carbe, Carbe would be released from prison with no record of conviction on the child sex offenses. Carbe wouldn’t need to register with state police as a sexual offender, the criminal complaint says.

The letter had a copy of the trooper’s business card in the upper corner, the criminal complaint says, and signatures of two troopers that were allegedly forged.

Police found the fictitious letter in a desk drawer at Pozza’s used car lot on Jan. 22.

Carbe pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated indecent assault and a single count of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. He is mandated to lifetime registration of his address with state police when he is released from prison, according to court records.

Police in Hazleton and Plains Township accused Carbe, according to arrest records, of sexually assaulting a child from June to October 2007.

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.