Reading man charged in overdose death in custody

Spring Township, PA —

A Reading man faces a first-degree felony charge in the death of a Spring Township man to whom he allegedly sold fentanyl-laced heroin in 2018, according to court records.

Jose R. Reyes, 56, of the 300 block of North Sixth Street was arraigned Friday before District Judge Nicholas M. Bentz Jr.

Reyes is accused of selling heroin to Keith Miller, a Spring Township resident who authorities say died of a heroin/fentanyl overdose on Sept. 28, 2018.

Court records indicate that Reyes was freed to await further court action after arraignment.

According to an affidavit filed by Sgt. Steven Brock, Spring Township criminal investigator:

Township police responded to 401 Springside Drive East, Millers residence, on Sept. 28. A family member requested police make a welfare check on Miller, who had not been heard from in two days.

After receiving no response, police entered the apartment and found Miller deceased on the living room floor.

Near his body were empty bags of heroin and drug paraphernalia, including a small tube normally used to inhale heroin.

Police called a number of the suspected dealer found on Miller’s cellphone and arranged a drug buy.

Reyes responded and was taken into custody. Interviewed at Spring Township police headquarters, Reyes admitted having sold heroin to Miller in the past, including a day or so prior to his death.

Drugs found at the scene were analyzed at a state police lab and determined to contain heroin and fentanyl.

An autopsy performed by Dr. Neil Hoffman, and a report from the Berks County coroner’s office, concluded that Miller had died of acute toxicity by heroin and fentanyl.

In addition to delivering a drug resulting in death, Reyes is charged with manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance and conspiracy.