John Bartel, 63, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty on Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy Mannion to the charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Bartel admitted to possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl for distribution.

The charge stems from an investigation in which the Pennsylvania State Police made a traffic stop of a vehicle Bartel was driving on Aug. 3, 2022, in Pottsville, and seized approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine, 1,371 packets of fentanyl and $1,974. Bartel was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The charge resulted from an investigation conducted by the state police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.