WEST CHESTER, PA — In a case that highlights the ongoing opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania, James Murphy, a 63-year-old man from Honey Brook, was sentenced to 5-10 years in prison for possession with intent to deliver.
Murphy plead guilty in October 2021 to four counts of possession with intent to deliver. The court was advised that in February 2021, Chester County Detectives and High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas made four controlled buys of heroin/fentanyl from the defendant at his home on Lenape Way in Honey Brook. A search warrant was executed at this house where investigators seized additional quantities of drugs, as well drug paraphernalia and US currency.
Chester County First Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry praised the collaborative law enforcement. “Law enforcement purchased heroin/fentanyl from James Murphy on four different occasions in a matter of days,” said Barry. “If law enforcement can do that, imagine how many other people he was selling to and putting their lives at risk. Stopping this drug dealer from peddling this poison took many hours of investigation and feet-on-the-ground work. We thank everyone for their hard work.”
Barry credited Chester County Detectives and High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas with the investigation which led to the plea. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Acito was the assigned prosecutor by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
If you or someone you know struggles with a substance use disorder, there is help available. The Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI) is a program that connects people with substance use disorders to treatment at no cost. Local police departments work with LETI to provide this service, so all you need to do is reach out to your local department for more information. This is a confidential process, and you will not be required to give your name or any other identifying information. LETI is just one way that law enforcement is working to help people in their communities.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.