Cases Move Forward Against Oil City Men Accused in Meth Bust

Aly Delp

Published January 21, 2019 5:21 am

Cases Move Forward Against Oil City Men Accused in Meth Bust

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (EYT) — Two Oil City men are facing charges after they allegedly purchased crystal methamphetamine in Philadelphia and brought it back to Venango County with the intention of selling it.

(PICUTURED ABOVE: Jeffrey S. Feely. A photo of Michael Poch was not available.)

Jeffrey S. Feely, 35, of Oil City, was arraigned on Jan. 7 at 1:30 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey. He faces the following charges:

Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
Int. Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia , Misdemeanor

Michael Poch, 42, of Oil City, was arraigned on Jan. 18 at 11:16 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey. He faces the following charges:

Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
Int. Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
Driving W/O A License, Summary
Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
Conspiracy — Int. Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor

According to a criminal complaint filed by Franklin-based State Police Trooper Morrison, the investigation was initiated on Thursday, January 3, around 10:09 p.m. after police received information pertaining to several individuals checking into two rooms at a hotel in Cranberry Township, Venango County.

During this time, multiple people entered and exited the rooms, including Jeffrey S. Feely, whose photo had been posted on exploreVenango.com after a warrant related to the possession of crystal methamphetamine was issued for his arrest.

Upon arrival, Tpr. Morrison observed a Ford Focus with a New Jersey registration parked near the location of the rooms in question. Tpr. Morrison was able to positively identify the driver of the vehicle as Feely, according to the criminal complaint.

While Feely was being taken into custody, Tpr. Morrison observed a crack pipe in the driver side door panel and a black bag in the middle of the floor.

The criminal complaint states that approximately ten ounces of crystal methamphetamine, four needles, baggies and a scale were found in the bag. Feely was also carrying $624 in cash.

Feely was taken into custody and transported back to the Franklin-based State Police barracks before being turned over to the Oil City Police Department in relation to a related case.

According to the criminal complaint, State Police executed a search warrant on the car and found an additional ounce of crystal methamphetamine, a small baggie of marijuana, a small tablet of suspected heroin, a night vision scope, a gas mask and a large box of syringe needles.

On January 5, 2019, Feely was interviewed by Tpr. Morrison at the Franklin-based State Police barracks. Venango County District Attorney Shawn White was also present during the interview.

The criminal complaint states that Feely admitted to distributing methamphetamine throughout the Venango County Area to various individuals.

Feely told police that he and two individuals — Michael Poch and a known man — traveled to the city of Philadelphia in a rental car on January 2, 2019, at approximately 7:30 p.m., and purchased a pound of crystal methamphetamine.

According to the criminal complaint, Feely admitted to the sale and said a portion of the methamphetamine was distributed on January 3, 2019, in Venango County, shortly before he was taken into custody.

The criminal complaint states that Feely told police that the $620 in his wallet was from the sale of methamphetamine and the $204 in his pocket, also from the selling of methamphetamine, was to be “kicked back to his partner.”

The drugs and cash were seized and placed into evidence.

Feely was lodged in the Venango County Jail and denied bail due to being a known flight risk.

He waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Jan. 16 in Venango County Central Court.

Poch was lodged in the Venango County Jail after failing to post $75,000.00 cash bail.

He faces a preliminary hearing before Judge Lowrey on Jan. 23 at 8:30 a.m.

No charges have been filed against the third man as of Jan. 21.

Wanted Oil City Man Found at Hotel with Large Amount of Meth, Cash