Upper Moreland Township Police Department Photo by James Short.
A heavily intoxicated man arrested near a busy intersection in Upper Moreland Township is now facing additional charges after allegedly attempting to obstruct police cell cameras multiple times while in custody, according to police.
Police say the incident began around 7:43 p.m. on April 5 near York Road and Summit Avenue, where officers responded to reports of an intoxicated individual.
According to the report, the man, identified as Frederick Fetherman, 58, of Lansdale, told officers he had been drinking at Big Heads of Willow Grove and was attempting to catch a train back to Philadelphia.
Officers described Fetherman as stumbling, unsteady on his feet, and struggling to stand upright, with slow, lethargic speech and a strong odor of alcohol. He initially agreed to field sobriety testing but refused to continue shortly after it began. Police then placed him under arrest for public drunkenness. A breath sample later confirmed the presence of alcohol, and officers recovered two full cans of Bud Light Ice from his backpack.
The situation escalated further at police headquarters, where authorities say Fetherman repeatedly attempted to interfere with surveillance cameras inside his holding cell.
Between 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., police allege he ignored multiple warnings and used wet paper products, including a paper blanket and toilet paper, to cover the camera lens. Officers say he was removed from the cell twice so it could be cleaned, but continued the behavior after allegedly hiding additional paper products in his underwear.
Due to the repeated incidents, Fetherman was ultimately placed under constant supervision.
Fetherman faces charges of institutional vandalism and public drunkenness.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 17, 2026 at 8:45 a.m. before Judge Thomas P. Murt.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
