Wanted man charged with selling 50 bags of fentanyl, fleeing

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Scranton man was arrested after police determined he was wanted on three separate warrants and he reportedly sold 50 bags of fentanyl.

According to police, on Monday, April 29, around 7:00 p.m., Scranton police and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) determined that Joseph Christiano, 28, of Scranton, (pictured below) was wanted on three separate warrants.

Investigators say while intercepting text messages to Christiano, officers learned that he would be delivering a brick or 50 bags of fentanyl to another person around 9:00 p.m. at a pre-determined location, in a dark-colored Audi vehicle.

Police say, prior to the exchange, they placed a “covert audio listening device” within the area, so officers could listen to Christiano while the drug purchase was happening in real time.

According to a criminal complaint, Christiano showed up at the pre-determined location around 9:00 p.m. and sold 50 bags of fentanyl, stamped “Red Head” in exchange for a specific sum of money.

Police say after the purchase, officers retrieved the fentanyl and attempted a traffic stop on Christiano, however, when he saw police he attempted to flee.

The criminal complaint reads Christiano was speeding on Glenn Street and continued recklessly onto Capouse Avenue. Police say while Christiano was driving he attempted to cross Wyoming Avenue and struck a pothole near Wendy’s.

Investigators say, Christiano then attempted to flee on foot from police, however officers took him down to the ground.

According to officers, after an initial struggle, police handcuffed Christiano, read him his Miranda rights and law enforcement retrieved the money used to purchase the fentanyl.

Court documents say Christiano was taken into custody, arraigned, and remanded to the Lackawanna County Prison as he wasn’t able to post $200,000 cash bail.

Christiano faces charges of possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, flight to avoid apprehension, fleeing or attempting to elude police, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered, and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, at 9:00 a.m.

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