Phoenixville man headed to state prison on drugs and gun violations
NORRISTOWN >> A Phoenixville man was handed a state prison sentence after admitting to drug trafficking and firearms violations that originated when he was found riding in a stolen car in Norristown.
Bryant Royal Baylis, 25, of the 500 block of Wilson Street, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Montgomery County Court to felony charges of persons not to possess firearms and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, according to court documents. He was sentenced to five to 10 years in state prison.
Baylis was arrested when Norristown police pulled over a Honda Pilot on March 5 that had been reported stolen out of Tredyffrin Township that day before, according to the criminal complaint. Baylis was taken out of the car, and as police looked inside, they found what appeared to be packaging material for the sale of narcotics, and the handle of a revolver.
Once the revolver was spotted, the complaint said, investigators sealed the car until they obtained a search warrant. Baylis was detained. At the station, Baylis was discovered attempting to eat marijuana to conceal it from police, the complaint said, and had to be restrained.
When the car was searched, police found a loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson “Lady Smith” revolver, 58 small plastic bags and one large bag of what was later determined to be cocaine and other drug paraphernalia, and various items such as prescription pill bottles and identification that belonged to other people, the complaint detailed.
Investigators said in the complaint that the items were found in a backpack that also contained a handwritten letter with Baylis’ name on it, and that the items were consistent with street-level sale of narcotics.
When Baylis pleaded guilty to the charges, additional felonies and misdemeanors related to drug trafficking and receiving stolen property were dismissed, court documents indicate. He was given credit for about six months of time already served on his five to 10 years sentence.