Mt. Pleasant man accused of operating meth lab in car, resisting arrest jailed on $50K bond

A 34-year-old Mt. Pleasant man allegedly threatened his mother and police as multiple officers arrested him last week after an almost two month-long drug investigation.

Joe P. Biller is accused of operating a mobile meth lab out of his car, according to borough police.

He’s being held in the county prison on $55,000 bond after his arraignment last week on multiple drug counts and possession of chemicals to produce methamphetamine, resisting arrest and terroristic threats, according to court records.

Officer Justin James said in court documents that he initially obtained a search warrant to search Biller’s car at his mother’s house on Bridgeport Street after receiving a tip June 5 that Biller was operating a makeshift meth lab in his car. Police executed a second search warrant June 9 on the car when it was parked at an East Huntingdon residence and confiscated multiple items.

James said in court documents that officers discovered multiple ingredients to produce methamphetamine and remnants of the contraband during both searches.

Borough police were assisted by the state police Clandestine Response Team and Scottdale Police.

When officers received confirmation from the state police forensic laboratory of the meth lab operation and acquired an arrest warrant, James said Biller was in an upstairs bedroom. When Biller’s mother informed him that police were there to serve a warrant, James reported that Biller retreated to his second-floor bedroom, locked the door and refused to come out.

After officers forcibly entered the room and placed Biller under arrest, James said he continued to resist.

“This warrant is tyranny and a manipulation of the law,” James quoted Biller as saying ashe was led to a patrol car.

James said in court papers that Biller also threatened to harm his mother.

“I’ll kill all of you…’,” James quoted Biller as telling officers as he was put in a holding cell at the police station Thursday evening.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Aug. 5.