Averill
Over 80 grams of meth confiscated by police
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — A jury found a 48-year-old Muskegon man guilty of multiple felony charges in connection to a meth dealing operation.
Joshua Charles Averill, 48, of Muskegon was found guilty of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a short-barreled shotgun and felony firearm (possession of a firearm at the time of committing a felony) following a two-day trial in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court.
“On Feb. 26, 2025 on Garfield Road, Deputy Gavin Porter, Deputy Brendan Nienhuis, and Sgt. Cam Hanson (with the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office) were affecting a warrant arrest on different individuals,” said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon. “This led to information that a drug dealer was in the area. When a vehicle matching the description drove by, they were able to develop cause for a traffic stop.” The vehicle was a Ford F350 dual-wheeled pickup truck.
“During the traffic stop, it was discovered that the defendant had a warrant, and he was arrested. There was a female passenger in the vehicle, but she did not have a valid license and could not drive the vehicle away. The vehicle needed to be impounded and towed. This required the deputies to conduct an inventory search of the vehicle. This search discovered a pistol in the console, along with some drugs, a scale, and bags commonly used for packaging narcotics,” said Prosecutor Bizon.
“The female presented no reason or authority to be detained prior to the search and was allowed to leave. After the search, the police had reason to recontact her. The police discovered on her over 80 grams of methamphetamine. She told police that she took the drugs from the vehicle to protect the male defendant. She had gone to a nearby house that the suspect was familiar with and had the meth in her purse.”
The 20-year-old woman testified at the trial, Bizon said. “She was also charged but testified for the prosecution. It is not yet determined what will be done with her case,” he said.
“The police further searched the vehicle and discovered a sawed-off shotgun and a muzzleloader pistol stored in the vehicle.
“The amount of methamphetamine was above personal use and definitely going to be distributed,” said Bizon.
A sentencing hearing for Averill has not yet been scheduled.
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