Alleged Indiana County Drug Dealer Headed to Court

by Jonathan Weaver

An Indiana County man arrested by Armstrong County Detectives two weeks ago for drug possession and intent to distribute waived his right to a preliminary hearing yesterday morning.

Jonathan Corey, 32 of Blairsville, was observed by Armstrong County Narcotics Enforcement Team (ARMNET) agents trying to sell drugs to a confidential informant outside a Manor Township business along State Route 422, but waived his right to the hearing (and reportedly his right to counsel) before District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo yesterday.

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by ARMNET Area Coordinator and County Detective Frank Pitzer, Corey exchanged morphine pills for cash with the confidential informant February 11.

Corey even went into the foyer of the business to check that the cash was real before both men left the parking lot.

After agents noted the vehicle involved, three other ARMNET officials conducted a traffic stop on Corey along State Route 422, and found a green pill bottle containing 19 morphine pills and five stamp bags of suspected heroin stamped with “Most Wanted.” The evidence was sent to the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab in Greensburg (Westmoreland County) for analysis.

An unknown white female who was operating Corey’s gold Chrysler four-door at the time of the exchange is still under investigation for her involvement.

Corey, who was imprisoned in the Armstrong County Jail from his arrest until Thursday, February 19, has allegedly conducted sales of various controlled substances in Armstrong, Westmoreland and Indiana Counties.

Further Court of Common Pleas proceedings have not yet been scheduled.