Log In


Reset Password

Albrightsville man on trial for firearms, drug counts

An Albrightsville man is on trial in Carbon County court on firearms and drug charges.

A jury panel is scheduled to begin deliberations Friday morning in the fate of Joshua Peter Correll, 40. He is charged with felony counts of possession of a firearm prohibited, firearms not to be carried without a license, flight to avoid apprehension and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, false identification to law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance (two counts) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The trial began Thursday with all testimony concluded late in the afternoon.

Officer testifies

Officer John Pruitte Jr. of Jim Thorpe Police testified on Jan. 14 he received a phone call from Kidder Township police indicating they had a felony warrant for Joshua Correll.

Pruitte said around noontime he spotted Correll, a woman and another man standing around a vehicle listed for sale along Olympian Way. He said the man appeared to be Correll, but he made three drive-bys to make sure.

He pulled his vehicle up to the vehicle listed for sale, a Chevrolet Tahoe, blocking the front end. Correll was in the passenger seat and the woman was in the driver’s seat.

Pruitte said as he approached the passenger side door of the Tahoe, he saw Correll take something from the area of his waist, bend over, and appeared to put the object under the passenger seat. Pruitte said he opened the door and told Correll he had a warrant for his arrest. Correll identified himself as John Correll. Pruitt said he told him, “I know John Correll, you are not him, you are Joshua.”

He said the defendant argued but eventually got out of the vehicle. He said Correll refused to put his hands behind his back to be handcuffed as he was being taken into custody for the warrant.

A struggle ensued, Pruitte said, when Correll began to move toward the rear of the Tahoe and he felt he might flee. Pruitte radioed for backup and Correll broke free and ran toward the parking lot of Dean Anthony’s restaurant and Route 903 (North Street).

Detective Lee Marzen arrived and chased Correll. He caught up with him near North Street, grabbed the back of his hoodie and pulled him to the ground. Pruitte attempted to use a Taser on Correll.

Eventually Correll was taken into custody. While searching Correll, the officers found $2,030, and a syringe and spoon.

Marzen found a loaded 9 mm black handgun in a holster in the car. There were 15 rounds found in the gun magazine and gun itself. The gun had no serial number or any other markings, only the manufacturer’s name. Pruitte said such guns are referred to as “ghost guns.”

Pruitte said Correll was taken back to the Tahoe. Correll’s vehicle, a Ford Escape, was parked nearby. He said he looked in the driver’s side window, which was open about 6 to 8 inches, and saw a plastic container with white powdery substance and metal spoon sitting in the cup holder. He said he impounded the vehicle and had it towed. He later secured a search warrant for the vehicle.

A search of the Ford was conducted on Jan. 15 and located inside was about 2 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine, numerous syringes along with materials commonly used to package and distribute narcotics such as baggies, rubber bands and measuring spoons. Another gun holster was also found.

Because of prior felony convictions, Correll was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Pruitte also testified that Correll was taken to the county prison on the warrant. While being strip-searched at the prison, illegal drugs were found.

Under cross-examination by defense counsel, attorney Matthew J. Mottola, of the public defender’s office, Pruitte said the woman had fled the scene during the interaction with Correll and was not located but was eventually identified. He also said he did not have the gun or the holster tested for Correll’s DNA or fingerprints.

Pruitte said he told Correll “10 or 12 times” to put his hands behind his back before he ran.

Pruitte said a pink purse was found in Correll’s car that contained drug paraphernalia, a credit card and driver’s license which was for a Katie Murphy.

Marzen said he arrived on scene just as Correll was breaking away from Pruitte.

Marzen said the owner of the Tahoe, Mark Holland, was present and gave him permission to enter and search the vehicle. He said other than the gun being found, there was nothing in the vehicle, as it appeared it was ready for sale.

Other testimony

Holland said the gun found in the vehicle was not his and that he had thoroughly cleaned the vehicle prior to parking it and placing a for sale sign.

Correll did not testify. He is currently an inmate in the county prison.

The lone witness for the defense was a representative of the Mauch Chunk Trust Company who produced checking account deposits and withdrawals for an account for Correll.

The trial was scheduled to resume today at 10 a.m. with the closing arguments of counsel and the charge of the court on the law. Deliberations will then begin.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Lynn Rapa is prosecuting the case.

Judge Steven R. Serfass is presiding.