Gun found in vehicle lands man in prison

NORRISTOWN » A Pottstown man who during a traffic stop on Route 422 was found to be in the illegal possession of a handgun and drug paraphernalia is on his way to state prison.

Jonathan Cephus, 39, of the first block of Chestnut Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to five to 10 years in a state correctional facility on charges of persons not to possess a firearm, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia and disregarding traffic lanes in connection with the July 2016 incident on Route 422 in Limerick.

The sentence was imposed by Judge Todd D. Eisenberg, who convicted Cephus of the charges during a nonjury trial.

An investigation began about 1:24 a.m. July 29, 2016, when state police at Skippack, while patrolling Route 422, observed a Cadillac STS vehicle operated westbound by Cephus, who “was unable to maintain his lane safely,” according to the criminal complaint. Police activated emergency lights and siren and conducted a traffic stop of Cephus’ vehicle.

Police alleged Cephus was sweating profusely and made limited eye contact with police during the traffic stop. Police alleged they could smell an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When asked by police to search the vehicle Cephus gave police consent, according to court documents.

During the search, police found a digital scale containing white powdery residue. Police said the white powdery substance was tested and yielded a positive result for cocaine.

“I also observed a back Beretta .32-caliber handgun concealed in the center console,” state police Trooper Robert Beyer alleged in the arrest affidavit.

With the charges, police alleged Cephus has previous felony criminal convictions that prohibited him from possessing a firearm.