A Tamaqua man was found guilty Wednesday during a bench trial of possessing methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl in the borough.

Schuylkill County Common Pleas Judge Christina Hale ruled Keith Daniel Neff, 38, guilty on five charges, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony, (methamphetamine), two charges of possession of a controlled substance, (methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl,) possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness and similar conduct.

Neff represented himself at the trial, which lasted about 90 minutes. Attorney William Burke was seated next to him for consultation. Assistant District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon represented the prosecution.

Hale ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 18.

In his opening statement, Neff claimed his incarceration wasn’t justified.

“It’s just all false charges,” he said.

Three Tamaqua police officers and a forensic scientist with the Pennsylvania State Police were among those who testified. Neff did not testify.

Officer Ryan Oldt described what took place Sept. 12, 2000, when he was dispatched to the Schuylkill County Communications Center for a disturbance at 214, 216 Greenwood St. He spoke to people on scene and located Neff on a nearby street.

“He was sweating profusely and very shaky and would not stand still,” he said.

He said someone took his hat where he was staying.

Oldt asked Neff if he had items inside his pockets, to which he replied, “Man you got me, I have a bag full of crystal on me.”

Neff then removed the zip-close bag and placed it on the police vehicle before being taken to the police station.

Upon arrival at the station, numerous bags were found inside the one. They field tested for methamphetamine and morphine, officer Corey Herring said.

A total of $1,363 was also found.

Rebecca Patrick, a forensic scientist with the state police, testified there were 30 bags of drugs plus the zippered bag. She tested and weighed the drugs consisting of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl.

Neff asked about the number of bags of drugs. Patrick said she took a photo of the smaller bags since they were many. The zippered bag was not included in the photo. The affidavit of probable cause lists 27 bags of drugs. However, it was noted that some of the bags could have been miscounted because they were small.

Byrnes-Noon said, “We are human and we do make mistakes.”