Boardman man arraigned on drug trafficking charge

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

A Boardman man was arraigned Wednesday on drug charges.

Joseph L. Roberts Jr. was arrested early Tuesday on two fifth-degree felonies, drug abuse and trafficking in drugs; first-degree misdemeanor driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; as well as a minor misdemeanor for turn signals.

He pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the misdemeanor charges and pleas were not accepted on the felonies. A trial on the misdemeanors and a preliminary hearing on the felonies are both scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 15.

Bond was set at $25,000 or bond with a requirement of a drug-alcohol assessment as condition of bond on the felonies. Roberts also has $10,000 or bond set for the misdemeanors as well as the same assessment.

According to officials of the Canfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Roberts was driving on Third Street in Austintown and failed to signal a turn at 2:54 a.m. Tuesday, causing him to be pulled over.

Authorities found three grams of cocaine in his vehicle, which resulted in the drug-trafficking charge due to the way it was packaged, OSHP officials said.