Oil City Meth Ring Suspect Waives Hearing

| March 1, 2019

CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. (EYT) – An Oil City man facing drug charges stemming from the sale of crystal methamphetamine in Venango County appeared in court this week.

Court documents indicate the following charges against 42-year-old Michael Poch, of Oil City, were waived for court on Wednesday, February 27:

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

The charges have been transferred to the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

Unable to post $75,000.00 monetary bail, Poch remains lodged in the Venango County Jail.

The charges stem from an ongoing case involving two other men – 35-year-old Jeffrey S. Feely, and 48-year-old James Lee Kopf, Jr., both of Oil City – and their involvement in the alleged purchase of crystal methamphetamine in Philadelphia and brought back to Venango County with the intention of selling it.

(PHOTO BELOW: Jeffrey Feely. Note: Photos are not available for Kopf and Poch.)

The following offenses were charged against Feely on January 7:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

Feely was lodged in the Venango County Jail, with bail denied as he is a known flight risk, however he was released on $10,000.00 unsecured bail on January 20, after his bail was changed by a court order.

On January 16, his case was waived for court, and the case was transferred to the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

The following charges were filed against Kofp on January 28:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony (two counts)
– Corrupt Organizations – Employee, Felony 1
– Conspire To Violate 911b1, 911b2, 911b3, Felony 1
– Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor (two counts)

On February 20, his case was waived for court, and the case was transferred to the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

He remains lodged in the Venango County Jail on $50,000.00 monetary bail.

Details of the cases:

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, Trooper 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, Trooper. 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 Trooper 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 James Kopf – 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 $620.00 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.


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