FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A Franklin man is facing new charges after he allegedly attempted to conceal heroin during his intake process at the Venango County Jail.

According to court documents, on August 27, the Franklin Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 31-year-old Justin Robert Steetle, of Franklin:

• Contraband/Controlled Substance, Felony 2
• Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
• Tamper With/Fabricate Physical Evidence, Misdemeanor 2
• Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

According to a criminal complaint, around 11:36 a.m. on Friday, August 24, Patrolman Barnes, of the Franklin Police Department, was dispatched to the Venango County Jail for a report of a new intake prisoner possibly having contraband hidden internally.

Staff Sargeant Raecke informed Patrolman Barnes that Justin Steetle, a new intake prisoner, was being strip searched when officers noticed a blue balloon between his buttocks. Another corrections officer stated he was contacted and responded, and he witnessed Steetle facing the other two officers while inserting his fingers into his anus, according to the complaint.

Steetle was then dressed in a jail jumpsuit and placed in the holding cell in the booking area, which does not have a toilet. Steetle was also kept under observation and had not been out of an officer’s sight.

A search warrant for the person of Justin Steetle was obtained, and he was transported to UPMC Northwest and admitted into the emergency room. Steetle was advised of his Miranda rights and consented to the treatment at the hospital which resulted in the seizure of three blue balloon-like objects from his stomach, colon, and rectum, according to the complaint.

In the presence of Patrolman Barnes, Steetle advised the doctor who was treating him that two of the balloons contained heroin, the complaint states.

The complaint also notes that the amount of controlled substance, the method of packaging, transport, and concealment were consistent with Steetle’s action being undertaken for the purpose of distributing controlled substances within the Venango County Jail.

Steetle was arraigned at 9:09 a.m. on Tuesday, August 28, in Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland’s office.

His bail was set at $15,000.00 monetary bail for this case.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5, with Judge Kirtland presiding.

Steetle had been taken into custody on a bench warrant after failing to appear for a hearing on Friday, August 24, relating to a previous DUI and resisting arrest incident.