Norristown Man and Mother Arrested In Drug Bust

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, along with West Norriton Police Chief Robert P. Adams and Norristown Police Chief Russell J. Bono, announced the arrests of Joseph Russell Miller, 29, of 121 Haws Avenue, for drug related offenses. Miller's 50 year-old mother, Adriene Trusty, was also arrested for assault-related charges.

According to a release issued by the DA, members of the Drug Task Force and the Narcotics Enforcement Team have been investigating the drug trafficking activities of Miller for over a month. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for Miller and his residence.  

On Oct. 19 at approximately 7:30pm, members of the Drug Task Force and the Narcotics Enforcement Team executed the warrant at Miller’s residence. According to the release, Trusty, who is Miller’s mother, came to the door and reluctantly unlocked it. Officers entered the residence and a strong odor of marijuana was detected. 

Miller was not immediately located, however detectives did notice an open window on the third floor. Miller was found hiding on a neighbor’s rooftop several houses away. Miller was brought back to the residence and Trusty is alleged to have assaulted officers during the search. Charges were filed against her later.  

A search of the residence revealed three fully-loaded handguns; 13 bags of marijuana, packaged for sale; more than 150 bags of crack cocaine, packaged for sale; an additional bag of cocaine weighing ¼ ounce; prescription pills; drug paraphernalia including scales and baggies; and more than $2,000.00 in US currency. Everything was seized and placed into evidence.

Miller was arrested and charged on with the following violations of Pennsylvania Law;

• 35 P.S. Health and Safety 118-113a:16 (Possession of a Controlled Substance) (3 counts);
• 35 P.S. Health and Safety 118-113a:30 (Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver) (3 counts);
• 35 P.S. Health and Safety 118-113a:32 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia);
• 35 P.S. Health and Safety 118-113a:33 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Deliver);
• 18 PA. C.S.A. 6105a1: (Person not to Possess, Use, Manufacture, Control, Sell or Transfer Firearms) (3 counts); and 5104 (Resisting Arrest) and 907a, b (Possessing Instruments of Crime).     

A further investigation into the recovered firearms revealed that two of the handguns recovered from Miller’s residence were reported stolen. One was reported stolen in Whitpain and the other in Canada.

Miller was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Ester Casillo. Bail was set at $50,000.00 cash and Miller was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of posting bail.

A preliminary hearing for Miller is scheduled for Oct. 31, at 11:45am before Magisterial District Judge Francis Lawrence.  

Adriene Trusty was arrested on Oct. 25 and charged with aggravated assault, assault, harassment and resisting arrest. Magisterial District Judge Ester Casillo arraigned Trusty and set bail at $5,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing for Trusty is scheduled for Oct. 31, at noon before Magisterial District Judge Francis Lawrence.