A Pottsville man was sentenced to 16 months in jail for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

John Bartel, 64, was sentenced on Dec. 7 by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Bartel previously pleaded guilty and 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 in cash. Bartel was the only occupant in the vehicle.