An arrest warrant has been issued for a Maryland man who police say had a buffet of drugs in his vehicle during a traffic stop last week.
According to an affidavit filed with District Magistrate James Reiley, police in Pottsville say they began tailing a vehicle driven by Joseph DeMarco, 32, of Brooklyn Park, Maryland, at about 1:20 a.m. on July 24.
Police say they were monitoring traffic in the 1000 block of W. Market St. at the time and suspected DeMarco’s green Mercedes C240 was going faster than the speed limit, headed toward downtown Pottsville.
As police pulled behind DeMarco’s vehicle and began to run his registration, he turned the wrong way onto N. 3rd St., a one-way street. That prompted police to initiate a traffic stop.
When DeMarco placed his vehicle in park, he immediately lit a cigarette, police say. The affidavit reads that police training says when someone immediately lights a cigarette during a traffic stop, they’re likely trying to calm themselves down, cover up a smell, or get in one more smoke before they’re taken into custody.
Police say they made contact with DeMarco, who provided them with a copy of his license and registration, which were valid. He told police he was driving from Maryland to New York at the time.
When police returned to the vehicle, they asked about a backpack in DeMarco’s vehicle. That, they say, caused him to get nervous and combative. Police then asked if there was anything illegal in his vehicle. DeMarco said there wasn’t.
He did say, in response to a question about weed in the vehicle, “There is a little pot in the car, for sure. I’m not looking to get caught up over a little anything.”
Police say they asked for DeMarco’s consent to search the vehicle and he allegedly said no. So, police seized his vehicle and applied for a search warrant, which was granted by District Magistrate David Rossi.
During the search of the vehicle, police say they found the following smorgasbord of illegal drugs:
- 269 grams of dried, brown mushrooms, suspected of being Psilocybin
- 7 jars of “green vegetable matter”
- 1 large silver bag containing “green vegetable matter”
- 1 white plastic bag containing “green vegetable matter”
- 1 plastic jar of “yellow matter”
- 1 clear, knotted bag containing 30 grams of a “white powder”
- 1 clear baggie containing a “crystal substance”
- Numerous items of drug paraphernalia
- 35 resealable baggies
- Metal knuckles
The “green vegetable matter” weighed 850 grams, police say, and tested positive for marijuana.
The “yellow matter” tested positive for THC. That “white powder” tested positive for cocaine. And the “crystal substance” tested positive for MDMA (ecstasy), police say.
When he’s taken into custody, police plan to charge DeMarco with 5 felony counts of possession with intent to deliver, 5 felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanors for possession of drug paraphernalia and a prohibited weapon, and a summary offense for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
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 ...