Guilty plea in methamphetamine distribution case

Visiting Chester County judge imposes sentence in Montgomery County Court

NORRISTOWN — Like his brother before him, a Hatfield Township man admitted to participating in a methamphetamine trafficking operation in Montgomery County.

Jeffrey M. Penna, 42, of the 1200 block of Cabin Road, was sentenced Monday in Montgomery County Court to seven years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to felony counts of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy for incidents that occurred from December 2011 to March 2012.

“He admitted that he was part of a methamphetamine drug distribution ring in Montgomery County ... actually that he delivered methamphetamine to other people during this time period,” said Assistant District Attorney Jason Whalley, explaining the nature of Penna’s guilty plea. “He was getting drugs, methamphetamine specifically, from his supplier and then giving it to his own customers and friends.”

Judge Thomas G. Gavin, a visiting senior judge from Chester County, imposed the sentence as part of a plea agreement. Whalley sought the lengthy period of supervision for Penna, who was represented by defense lawyer Steven Fairlie.

“He will be under court supervision for almost a decade. If he slips up he will be locked up immediately on a probation or parole violation,” said Whalley, indicating Penna faces state prison time if he violates his sentence.

Penna’s brother, David, 36, who court papers indicate resided in the 1800 block of Valley Forge Road in Lansdale, previously pleaded guilty to one count each of delivering methamphetamine and conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and he was sentenced to four years’ probation under a plea agreement. The Penna brothers, who were some of the targets of the investigation, used and distributed methamphetamine from Jeffrey Penna’s residence, authorities alleged.

The Pennas were two of 32 people, many of whom lived in Hatfield, Schwenksville, Lansdale, Gilbertsville, Phoenixville, Royersford, Lower Providence, Limerick, North Wales, Blue Bell and Philadelphia, who were arrested in May 2012 in connection with their alleged roles in the op- eration as distributors, users or pushers of the expensive drug.

Among the other targets of the investigation was Troy Dudas, 36, formerly of the 100 block of Mine Run Road, Limerick, who previously admitted to his role as one of the main suppliers of the organization by bringing methamphetamine from Philadelphia to Montgomery County. Dudas pleaded guilty to felony charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, dealing in unlawful proceeds and conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Dudas, who potentially faces mandatory sentences ranging from 5 to 7 years in prison on some of the charges, remains in the county jail without bail pending sentencing.

Last November, Francesco “Frank” Messina, 43, of the 600 block of Garfield Avenue, Upper Gwynedd, pleaded guilty to charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and conspiracy in connection with the investigation and remains free on bail while awaiting sentencing.

Specifically, Messina admitted to directly delivering more than two grams of meth to an undercover detective on two occasions and to being involved in the delivery, conducted by some of his alleged co-defendants, of another five grams of the drug.

Messina’s sister-in-law, Lisa Marie Messina, 47, of the 2500 block of Morris Road, Upper Gwynedd, pleaded guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor charge of possessing drug paraphernalia, specifically items used to package or to ingest illegal substances, and was sentenced to six months of probation under a special probationary program. If Lisa Messina, who was represented by defense lawyer John Aitchison, successfully completes the probationary period she can clear her record, under the program known as Section 17 of the state Drug Act.

“You understand the commonwealth is cutting you a break here by disposing of your case in this way?” Gavin addressed Lisa Messina, who nodded her head in the affirmative.

At the time of the arrests last May, county District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said the investigation of the organization began after she received an anonymous tip in the mail. Ferman turned the letter over to the county’s Narcotics Enforcement Team, which launched an investigation.

Members of the NET agency worked closely with police in Souderton, Lansdale, Hatfield, Lower Providence and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency branch in Philadelphia to gather enough evidence to obtain state Superior Court approval for wiretaps on the cell phones of Francesco Messina and Dudas between Feb. 8 and 29, according to court papers.

The investigation also revealed links to a Philadelphia methamphetamine distribution ring, according to court documents.

The investigation did not uncover a methamphetamine manufacturing facility in Montgomery County.

The wiretap interceptions resulted in 14 searches of properties throughout Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. During the searches authorities seized quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and less than a dozen firearms, prosecutors alleged. While large quantities of the drug were not confiscated during the investigation, authorities characterized the dismantling of the organization as very significant.