A Tamaqua man has been charged with possession of methamphetamine after he crashed his motorcycle in Lehigh County.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer John Snyder of the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop M, Fogelsville barracks in the case against Joel Vermillion:

At 12:31 a.m. July 18, state police were traveling northbound on Route 100 near Windy Road when they observed a motorcycle on its side against the guide rail that was located on the western edge of Route 100.

The operator was observed to be on the other side of the guide rail against a utility pole and suffering from an apparent injury.

The operator was identified by his Pennsylvania Driver’s License which was located in a backpack secured to the motorcycle as Vermillion, 30.

Vermillion was then transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital by EMS for his injuries resulting from the crash.

A search was conducted on the backpack for any items of value, at which time the following were discovered: Two Zip lock bags containing about 16 grams of suspected methamphetamine; a large amount of U.S. Currency banded together by rubber bands; two clear glass smoking devices; two digital scales; a large quantity of rubber bands; and a Zip lock bag containing a large quantity of smaller Zip lock bags.

Snyder then utilized a NIK “U” kit to test the suspected methamphetamine discovered in Vermillion’s backpack, at which time he observed a positive result for methamphetamine.

At the time of this incident, Vermillion did not have a Class M license.

At 1:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Assistant District Attorney Lisa Cipoletti approved the charges.

Vermillion faces charges of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; intentional possession of controlled substance by person not registered; use/possession of drug paraphernalia, use improper class of license; and disregard traffic lane (single).

He is currently incarcerated in the Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $25,000, 10 percent monetary, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Feb. 11 before District Judge Tom Creighton of Slatington.