Community Corner

Missing Lansdale Man Turns Himself In to Police

Joseph Sarni, 38, of Walnut Street, turned himself in Tuesday morning on an outstanding felony drug warrant

A Lansdale man whose family reported missing in July — and who Lansdale Police filed felony drug charges against in July — has turned up and turned himself in to police Tuesday morning.

Joseph Sarni, 38, of Walnut Street, appeared at the police station at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

An outstanding felony drug warrant was issued by District Judge Catherine McGill of Oreland on July 18.

Find out what's happening in Montgomeryville-Lansdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The warrant charged Sarni with the following narcotics offenses:

  • Felony Possession with Intent To Deliver a Controlled Substance
  • Four counts of Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Misdemeanor Possession With Intent To Use Drug Paraphernalia
  • Misdemeanor Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana
  • Misdemeanor Receipt in Commerce

Police said concern over Sarni's well being by police, family and the community resulted in an extensive search for Sarani after he went missing.

Find out what's happening in Montgomeryville-Lansdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sarni did not reveal his whereabouts to police, but he appeared healthy, police said. 

Sarni was arraigned before District Judge Harold Borek of Lansdale on the felony warrant, police said. 

Bail was set at $10,000 cash, which Sarni failed to post. He remains incarcerated at Montgomery County Prison. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Borek on October 16.     

In June 2012, Lansdale Police received information that Sarni was allegedly selling cocaine, marijuana and narcotics in the borough, police said.

Police made controlled buys of cocaine and Suboxone from Sarni, police said.

As a result of those purchases, a search warrant was issued for Sarni's apartment on the 500 block of Walnut Street, police said.

Police served the search warrant on June 29.

Seized in Sarni's apartment were drugs and paraphernalia, police said, including cocaine and Suboxone. All drugs were analyzed by an independent laboratory, police said.

Soboxone is a controlled substance that is used for the treatment of people addicted to opiates like heroin and painkillers.

Sarni was last seen July 8 leaving his apartment at 355 Walnut Street.

Foul play was suspected by the family.

Sarni, who has been a DJ across the United States and recently settled in Lansdale, attended Upper Dublin High School.

Do You Want to Know More?

  • Family Suspects Foul Play in Disapperance of Lansdale Man


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here