Philadelphia Man Convicted of Narcotics Distribution, Weapons Possession

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that James Williams, 32, of Philadelphia, PA was convicted today at trial of distribution of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine, and illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.

The defendant and his co-defendant, “A.J.,” became romantically involved in April 2017, after which the defendant began to supply A.J. with heroin to sell to her regular customers located in Bristol, PA.  The defendant and A.J. shared the proceeds.  Williams also sold narcotics to other customers outside of his relationship with A.J.

On July 18, 2017 A.J. arranged to meet a man, who was actually a confidential informant (“CI”) working with the Bensalem Township Police Department, in a shopping center in Bensalem, PA to sell him heroin and crack cocaine.  A.J. and the defendant arrived together in the defendant’s Ford Mustang, and the CI got into the back seat of the defendant’s car to purchase the narcotics.  The defendant and A.J. were immediately arrested.   Bensalem Township Police officers then found a loaded firearm and more narcotics locked in the glovebox, and more narcotics hidden in the trunk of the defendant’s car.  Williams had a prior felony conviction which prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm.

“Drug distribution and gun violence are an epidemic in Philadelphia and the federal government is aggressively prosecuting both and getting dangerous criminals off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “We want to thank our law enforcement partners in this case, ATF and the Bensalem Township Police Department, for their hard work and dedication.”

“There is no place in our community for those who use firearms for violent, criminal purposes,” said Donald Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure those individuals are brought to justice.”

The case was investigated by Bensalem Township Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Stengel and Eric Henson.