7 face trial in gun-trafficking case
POTTSTOWN >> Six men and one woman will stand trial on gun-trafficking charges following a waiver of their preliminary hearings March 3.
Michael Hill, 30, of the 2900 block of Walnut Ridge; Corey DeJohnette, 23, of the 100 block of Anthony Wayne Drive, West Pottsgrove; Phillipe DeJohnette, 24, of the 200 block of Jay Street, West Pottsgrove; Andrew Person, 30, of the first block of Hearthstone Drive, Exeter, Berks County; Chad Hill, 18, of the 100 block of North Walnut Street, Birdsboro; and Anthony Walker, 29, of the 200 block of North Gross Street, Philadelphia; and Jennifer Bender, 28, of the 300 block of Potts Court, Pottstown are all accused of taking part in a network of gun trafficking that was investigated by the District Attorney’s violent crime unit, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and several area police departments.
Police allege that Hill was the key suspect in the organization and that his associates conspired to either purchase or attempt to purchase firearms on Hill’s behalf. Detectives said Hill supplied the funds, the transportation and was present for some of the straw purchases or attempted straw purchases.
According to authorities, the investigation began after police seized two firearms from persons who were found to be in illegal possession of them, during two separate criminal investigations in West Pottsgrove and Philadelphia.
In May 2015, Philadelphia police arrested a man on drug charges and discovered he illegally possessed a Springfield .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun. Investigators later determined that Phillipe DeJohnette was the original purchaser and registered owner of the weapon, having legally purchased it in March 2015 at a gun show held in Upper Providence, according to court documents.
In August 2016, a Pottstown man was charged in connection with an armed robbery in West Pottsgrove and investigators seized a Ruger P-90 .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun from his residence. Investigators identified the registered owner of the firearm as Corey DeJohnette, who legally purchased it at a gun show in Upper Providence in December 2015, according to the criminal complaint.
Detectives linked Michael Hill to the gun trafficking organization by using surveillance and cell phone records. They alleged that he frequented gun shows looking for firearms for sale.
On Dec. 19, 2016, detectives searched Michael Hill’s Lower Pottsgrove residence and seized three firearms, several empty gun boxes and 396 live rounds of ammunition. Police also reviewed several text messages on Hill’s phone linking him to the straw gun purchases and revealing how the gun trafficking network operated.
The defendants are facing charges including corrupt organizations, conspiracy, unsworn falsification to authorities, criminal use of a communication facility and related charges. Following the waiver, several defendants saw a reduction in bail.
Bail for Phillipe DeJohnette was reduced from $500,000 to $75,000. Chad Hill’s bail decreased from $100,000 to $75,000. Anthony Walker’s bail decreased from $500,000 to $75,000. Bail for Michael Hill was reduced from $500,000 to $150,000. Andrew Person’s bail decreased from $100,000 to $50,000. According to court documents, Corey DeJohnette’s bail remains at $500,000 and Bender’s bail was set at $100,000 unsecured on Feb. 3.
“We’re very happy we’ve gotten the first step out of the way,” said Assistant District Attorney Brianna Ringwood. “We’re moving forward and ready to proceed with trial.”
All the defendants are scheduled for formal arraignment on April 26.