Montgomery County, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2009

 

 

 

   

 

      

 

   

 

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, along with Norristown Police Chief Russell Bono, Pennsylvania State Police Captain Dave Young, West Norriton Police Chief Robert Adams, and Whitpain Police Chief Mark Smith, report the arrests of eight (8) individuals for drug law and firearms violations. 

 

During the months of February and March, 2009, detectives from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Narcotics Enforcement Team along with Drug Task Force members of the Norristown Police Department, investigated drug trafficking activities in the area of West Airy and Chain Streets, Norristown Borough.  Surveillance and undercover work revealed that several males were conducting drug sales on the streets and alleys in and around this area. 

 

The investigation culminated in the early morning hours of March 6, 2009, when law enforcement simultaneously executed search warrants at 504 West Airy Street, 508 West Airy Street, and 506 Chain Street, Norristown.  Upon entry into 504 West Airy Street, SWAT Officers were attacked by a vicious Rottweiler dog.  Detectives believe this dog was used by the drug dealers to guard themselves and their stash of drugs and cash.  The dog could not be restrained and was shot and killed by the officers.    

 

Eight (8) individuals were arrested and charged with Violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (Possession with the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances); Criminal Conspiracy; and Firearms Violations.  They are as follows:

 

508 West Airy Street, Norristown:
Timothy Lyons (23 years of age)
Juvenile (16 years of age)

 

506 Chain Street, Norristown:
Cinkwae Lee (23 years of age)
Kirkpatrick Lyons (19 years of age)
James Swearengen (18 years of age)

 

504 West Airy Street, Norristown:
Brian Deshield (21 years of age)
Charles Johnson (25 years of age)
Terrell Stovall (19 years of age)

 

The following is a list of the pertinent evidence seized from each of the residences:

 

504 W. Airy Street:

 

1.  Romania/Armexin AK-47 Assault Rifle, 7.62 x 39 mm
2.  “Banana Clip” style magazine loaded with 30 rounds of  7.62  x 39 mm for the AK-47 Assault Rifle
3.  Norinco SKS Assault Rifle,  7.62 x 39 mm
4.  “Banana Clip” style magazine loaded with 44 rounds of  7.62  x 39 mm for the SKS Assault Rifle
5.  Mossberg Saw-off 12 gauge shotgun with 2 rounds
6.  One (1) black ski mask (2 eyes and mouth cut outs)
7.  One (1) black ski mask (mouth cut out)
8.  118 bags of cocaine
9.  Seventeen (17) Ecstasy Pills (MDMA)
10. Three (3) Digital Scales
11. Bags used for the packaging of narcotics
12. One hundred five (105) Bags of Marijuana
13. Two Cellular Telephones
14. $283.00 in Cash.

 

508 W. Airy Street:

 

1.  Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, fully loaded
2.  Digital Scale
3.  Bags used for the packaging of narcotics
4.  Items used to cook cocaine powder into crack cocaine.
5.  Eight (8) cellular telephones
6.  Cocaine and Marijuana
7.  Approximately $1,900 in cash

 

506 Chain Street:

 

1.  CVA .36 Caliber cap and ball revolver
2.  Digital Scale
3.  Numerous drug bags
4.  Marijuana
5.  Eleven (11) Cellular Telephones
6.  Approximately $2,000 in cash.

 

Based upon the evidence found, including the assault rifles, shotgun, handguns and ski masks, the investigation will remain open to determine if there are any links to other crimes of violence and/or robberies in the area. 

 

The total approximate “street value” of the drugs seized by the law enforcement were as follows:
 -Marijuana: $2,500.00
 -Cocaine/Crack: $7,000.00
 -Ecstasy: $425.00
 -Total amount of cash seized: $4,183.00

 

These defendants were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Francis Lawrence and were remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of posting $1,000,000 Cash bail.  The preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 18, 2009 at 10 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Justice Lawrence.  The juvenile defendant was detained at the Montgomery County Youth Center.

 

      Approved for release:

 

 

 

      Risa Vetri Ferman