ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — A Muskingum County jury has found Joseph Angelo guilty of possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
The jury heard Angelo’s case Aug. 11 on charges of possession of methamphetamine, a second-degree felony, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
Angelo represented himself at trial, while Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Warren Edwards represented the state.
The case began when Zanesville police officers were called to a local business after a man was reported passed out in a truck at a gas pump. Officers said Angelo had been unconscious for more than an hour.
A Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the truck.
During a search, officers found a digital scale and a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery or crystalline substance. The substance was later tested and confirmed to be methamphetamine.
During the trial, Angelo made several claims about the substance, including that he believed it was a health supplement. He later said he believed it was methamphetamine but changed his belief because it did not produce the expected effects. He also claimed he had a prescription for methamphetamine.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on both charges and a forfeiture specification within about 30 minutes.
Angelo is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. He faces a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years and up to eight years, along with possible additional prison time for misconduct while incarcerated.
The vehicle where the methamphetamine was found is also subject to forfeiture. Following his prison sentence, Angelo will be supervised by the Adult Parole Authority.
Last Updated on August 14, 2026 by AVC News
