Orwigsburg – A drug claim filed against a resident of the Orwigsburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center advanced to Schuylkill County Court on Tuesday after waiving its right to a preliminary hearing.
Joseph E. Hunt, 70, was scheduled to appear before Magician District Judge Andrew Serena at 10am Tuesday, but instead chose to waive his right to hear.
Police say Hunt admitted to selling methamphetamine to another resident of the nursing home and drugs were found in his wallet.
Police charged hunting with a misdemeanor charge of manufacturing, delivering, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of substances when they are not permitted to do so.
Hunt remains in the Schlekill County Jail and is unable to post 10% of his $25,000 straight cash bail.
An Orwigsburg police officer responded to the 1,000 Manor Drive center earlier this month after staff found straws and white powdery substances in a buggy under another resident's mattress.
Police said the substance tested positive for methamphetamine.
Initially, residents denied knowing what the substance was and how they got it, but ultimately told center administrators that Hunt sold the drug for $10, police said.
Police reports said Hunt initially denied knowing about the drugs, but admitted to selling methamphetamine, but did not charge other residents “because they had borrowed money from me.”
Original issue: April 15th, 2025, 4:30pm EDT
