The key witness in the double murder case against Lamour Branch found himself in jail over the weekend and is facing mounting legal troubles of his own.
Police in Saint Clair say they spotted Jahlique Sherwood, 21, get out of a vehicle and walk into a convenience store in the borough shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 19. Sherwood was known to have an active bench warrant for his arrest at the time.
Inside the store, police say they approached Sherwood and took him into custody.
During a search of his person, police say they located a black handgun – specifically, a Springfield XD .45 ACP – with a pink grip and a weapon-mounted light concealed in his waistband. The 13-round magazine, police say, contained 10 live hollow-point rounds.
Through investigation, police say they learned that the gun Sherwood had on him that night was reported stolen out of Bloomsburg.
Police say further investigation revealed that Sherwood was not licensed to carry a firearm at the time of his arrest this past weekend.
For this incident, Sherwood is being charged with felony counts of receiving stolen property and carrying a firearm without a license.
Sherwood was arraigned on those charges before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer, who set bail at 10% of $50,000, which hasn’t been posted and he was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison.
Sherwood was wanted for failing to appear at a status conference in another case against him at the Courthouse recently. In that case, Sherwood is accused of assaulting a woman on the street in Minersville earlier this year.
Sherwood’s presence at Schuylkill County Prison presented a dilemma, however. He is the prosecution’s key witness in the double murder case against Branch, who is accused of murdering Hunter Mock and Angelito Caraballo back in October 2023, in a wooded area in New Philadelphia known as The Sanchez.
Police say Sherwood was the fourth person at that spot back in October 2023 when Branch allegedly shot Mock and then stabbed Caraballo to death. Sherwood has said he fled the area on foot until he arrived at a random home to get help.
Branch has been held at Schuylkill County Prison since he was charged with Mock and Caraballo’s murders in June 2024. He is expected to face trial in early 2026 on the murder charges.
Schuylkill County District Attorney Mike O’Pake told The Canary Monday, when asked if any special precautions were being taken to keep Branch and Sherwood away from each other in prison, each inmate is being segregated from each other. O’Pake said he called to the prison to have staff keep the two separated.
Sherwood is scheduled to be transported to another county’s prison, depending on whether he posts bail and is released on the recent charges.
Two days prior to getting picked up on the warrant and getting hit with the gun possession, Sherwood was also charged with DUI by State Police for an alleged incident in Pottsville.
RELATED:
Key Witness in New Philadelphia Murders Case Accused of Assaulting Woman in Minersville
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...