Traffic stop on Blue Route lands Schuylkill County man in prison on drug trafficking charge

A Schuylkill County man was sent to prison on drug trafficking charges that were lodged against him after a traffic stop by state police on the Blue Route in Plymouth Township.

Josef Deitz, 39, of Coaldale, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 2½ to 8 years in a state correctional facility after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine in connection with the June 7, 2021, incident on Route 476 in Plymouth.

Judge Thomas C. Branca, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, said Deitz is eligible for the state Department of Corrections’ drug treatment program.

The investigation began about 3:20 p.m. June 7 when state police at Skippack were on patrol traveling northbound on Route 476, also known as the Blue Route, in Plymouth when they stopped a Mazda sedan operated by Deitz for alleged traffic violations.

“While I was interacting with Deitz, indicators of criminal activity were observed,” state police Trooper Seth Betancourt alleged in the arrest affidavit, adding Deitz consented to a search of his vehicle.

During the search of the Mazda, police seized 120 glassine baggies containing wax paper, some stamped “Sorry Charlie,” that contained suspected heroin/ fentanyl and also seized one ounce of suspected methamphetamine, according to the criminal complaint.

Other charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as summary traffic violations, were dismissed against Deitz as part of the plea agreement.

Prosecutor Ani Nicole Hatza handled the case. Defense lawyer Paul Jared Mallis represented Deitz during the court proceedings.