A 43-year-old Smyrna resident is facing multiple felony charges after Delaware State Police officers discovered drugs and weapons during a Tuesday evening traffic stop.
Joseph Kleinen was taken into custody following an incident that began around 8:15 p.m. on June 9, 2026, when members of the Delaware State Police Special Investigations Unit observed a U-Haul box truck violate traffic laws while patrolling South Dupont Boulevard near Monrovia Avenue. When officers attempted to pull over the vehicle, it continued moving at a reduced speed on southbound South Dupont Boulevard for a considerable distance before making a U-turn and heading north. Officers witnessed the driver discard a clear plastic bag from the truck before finally stopping.
Officers approached the driver, who was identified as Kleinen, and placed him under arrest without resistance. The plastic bag that was thrown from the vehicle was retrieved by investigators, who found it contained roughly 7.33 grams of what appeared to be crystal methamphetamine. When officers searched the U-Haul, they discovered two hidden edged weapons.
A background check showed that Kleinen’s driving privileges had been suspended and that he was legally barred from possessing deadly weapons because of previous felony convictions. The investigation revealed that Kleinen planned to sell the methamphetamine.
After being transported to Troop 9, Kleinen faced charges including Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony), two counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 1 Quantity (Felony), Tampering with Physical Evidence (Felony), two counts of Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony), Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Related Traffic Offenses. He was processed by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on an unsecured bond of $10,002.
