Marple Township Police arrest dealer for selling cocaine to undercover officer multiple times, police say

The work of undercover police officers over multiple months has led to discovery of the repeated sale of cocaine in Delaware County. One responsible dealer, police said, is now facing felony charges because of it.

Officers working in the Marple Township Police Department, the Delaware County Criminal Investigations Division Narcotics Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Violent Crimes Task Force, via cross-swearing, recently filed charges against a Haverford man, stating he sold them cocaine on multiple occasions.

Joseph Nicholas Liberati, 31, of the 100 block of Marple Road in Haverford, reportedly sold undercover police officers cocaine, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed with the arrest. On Oct. 19, 26, and Nov. 2, undercover officers said they called Liberati via a cellular phone number to arrange the purchases. The officer each time was directed by Liberati to meet at a location in Delaware County, said police.

During each of three unique occasions, police stated that Liberati met at the described location and sold the undercover officer cocaine in exchange for U.S. currency. On Nov. 2, the officers said they made a traffic stop while Liberati was en route to the location. During that stop, police executed a search warrant on a red Subaru WRX with Pennsylvania license plates, owned by Liberati, police said.

During the search, police said they found suspected cocaine, which was field tested and resulted in a positive reaction. Liberati is charged with four felony counts of criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and related charges.

Liberati was arraigned on Nov. 7 before Magisterial District Judge Georgia L. Stone. A monetary bail was set at that time for an amount of $100,000. Liberati was transferred to the Delaware County Prison’s county jail unable to post bail until Nov. 12. At that time, court documents state that Joseph John Liberati posted a private surety bail in the form of $10,000 cash.

Liberati was scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Walter A. Strohl on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.