Phila. man convicted of drug charges after Route 422 traffic stop

NORRISTOWN >> A Montgomery County judge convicted a Philadelphia man of drug-related charges in connection with a traffic stop on Route 422 in Upper Providence during which state police uncovered crack cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine in the vehicle.

Rashid David Milledge, 28, of the 5900 block of North 20th Street, was convicted of charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection

with a May 2018 incident on westbound Route 422.

Judge Thomas C. Branca, who convicted Milledge of the charges during a non-jury trial, remanded Milledge to the county jail without bail to await a sentencing hearing later this year. The judge ordered court officials to complete a background investigation

report about Milledge, who also will undergo drug and alcohol evaluations prior to sentencing.

Milledge was a rear seat passenger in the Honda Civic vehicle that was stopped by state police at Skippack at 2:04 a.m. May 8, 2018, for an alleged traffic violation in the westbound lane of Route 422 in Upper Providence. Authorities alleged the vehicle was not properly insured at the time.

Two others in the vehicle also were charged in connection

with the incident.

David Brian Medina, 28, of the 700 block of Astor Street, Norristown, previously was sentenced to 9-to23-months in the county jail, to be followed by three years’ probation, after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Medina was a front seat passenger in the vehicle.

The driver of the Honda Civic, Julia Ann Derfler, 27, formerly of North Schuylkill Avenue in West Norriton,

previously was sentenced to one year of probation after she pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Derfler was “visibly shaking” during the traffic stop when she was questioned by police about a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, according to the criminal complaint filed by state police Trooper Susan Rivchin. Derfler allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the evening, police said.

During a search of the vehicle, police found a backpack under Medina’s legs. The backpack contained two packets of heroin, 19 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a digital scale and two jars containing marijuana, according to the arrest affidavit.

Police observed Milledge leaning on a backpack while seated in the rear seat. A search of the backpack linked to Milledge uncovered 83 grams of crack cocaine, three grams of crystal

methamphetamine, two grams of heroin and pill bottles that contained oxycodone, according to the criminal complaint.

A search of Derfler’s purse uncovered a small amount of marijuana in a glass jar, a glass crack pipe and a grinder, police alleged in court documents.

Derfler allegedly told police the trio was traveling from Norristown to a Residence Inn off Route 422 where they had rented a room for the night.