WEST CHESTER — A Coatesville man was arrested for illegal guns and drug trafficking after police received numerous tips that he was selling cocaine from his city home.
Kenneth Jerome Cole, 42, was charged with multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, dealing in unlawful activities, receiving stolen property and persons not to possess firearms. He was remanded to Chester County Prison.
In the raid, police seized three illegal firearms, more than $60,000 in cash, cocaine, methamphetamine, various prescription pills, as well as drug packaging and manufacturing paraphernalia.
The case against Cole began Aug. 10 and continued until Aug. 14, 2020, when Cole, along with another known co-conspirator, sold cocaine to a confidential informant on multiple occasions, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s office.
On Aug.14, 2020, a search warrant was executed at 24 West Fifth Avenue in Coatesville. Law enforcement seized large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and various prescription pills. The estimated street value is over $11,500.
In addition, police seized drug paraphernalia related to possessing controlled substances with the intent to manufacture and distribute including packaging materials, digital scales, and metal pots and pans with suspected cocaine residue on them. A Ruger 9mm firearm and $5,346 in cash were also recovered at the residence.
Cole is not permitted to possess any firearm, police said.
Police also seized clothing and other paraphernalia indicating membership to the Thunderguard Motorcycle Club, an outlaw motorcycle gang based in Wilmington, Del.
A second search warrant was executed on Aug. 14, 2020, at 214 Andrew Road in Coatesville after new information was obtained by police in connection to this case. Police seized additional quantities of cocaine and additional drug paraphernalia, a Cobra Shadow .38 special revolver, a Colt Challenger .22 caliber handgun and $48,950 in cash. An additional $8,875.85 was recovered from his bank account.
On Aug. 16, 2020, police confirmed that the Ruger 9mm firearm recovered from Cole’s home had been reported stolen.
“We are all committed to safeguarding our community from the ravages of drugs and guns,” said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “We will not condone offenders who push this poison into our neighborhoods and we have zero tolerance for the possession of firearms to help facilitate the drug trade. Our office will continue to work vigilantly along with law enforcement throughout this county to keep our streets safe. We are grateful for the collective efforts of law enforcement, especially the City of Coatesville Police Department, in the swift apprehension of the defendant in this case.”
Cole was arrested Aug. 14 and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Marian Vito, who set bail at $75,000 cash. He was also arrested on Aug. 16, 2020, for the charge of receiving stolen property for the Ruger 9mm, and Magisterial District Judge Grover Koon set bail at $250,000 unsecured bail.
Said Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer: “We would like to thank the Chester County Detectives and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance with this investigation. Working jointly and leveraging investigative cooperation between our agencies ensures that the citizens of Coatesville and Chester County are receiving the best law enforcement services available. Our agency is proud to say that we do not ‘police our community as much as we partner with it.’”
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Aug. 31, 2020 for both cases.
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Source: The Phoenix Reporter