Pottstown man jailed on gun, drug charges
NORRISTOWN » A Pottstown man who sold heroin to undercover detectives in the borough in exchange for a handgun is on his way to jail on drug and weapons charges.
Nathaniel David Howard, 20, of the 200 block of North Charlotte Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 11 ½ to 23 months in the county jail after he pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl or heroin and persons not to possess firearms in connection with incidents that occurred in February 2018. Judge Richard P. Haaz, who accepted a plea agreement in the matter, also ordered How-
ard to complete 13 years’ probation following parole, meaning Howard will be under court supervision for about 15 years.
Court documents indicate Pottstown and Montgomery County detectives launched an undercover investigation of Howard in February after receiving tips that Howard, who also listed an address in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, was distributing heroin or fentanyl in Pottstown.
On Feb. 6, Howard agreed to meet, who unbeknownst to him was an undercover detective, in a parking lot in the 300 block of East High Street to sell the detective a quantity of heroin in exchange for $100, according to the criminal complaint.
After the drug transaction was completed, Howard agreed to meet again at a later date to sell the undercover detective 10 bundles of heroin in exchange for a 9 mm Glock handgun, according to the arrest affidavit. The second meeting was scheduled to occur later in February.
On Feb. 9, the undercover detective met Howard, again in a parking lot in the 300 block of East High Street, and at that time the detective provided Howard with a 9 mm Glock handgun “in exchange for a quantity of heroin/fentanyl,” according to the criminal complaint.
“After taking possession of the firearm, Nathaniel Howard secured the gun in his backpack,” detectives alleged in the arrest affidavit.
At that point, members of the Montgomery County Narcotics Enforcement Team and Pottstown police entered the parking lot and took Howard into custody.
With the charges, prosecutors alleged Howard has a previous criminal conviction that prohibited him from possessing a firearm.