Christopher Newby
Media, PA – District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced the arrest of Christopher Newby, 32, of Philadelphia, as a result of a months-long undercover investigation into drug trafficking by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Delaware County Drug Task Force and the Marple Township Police Department. Acting pursuant to a search warrant, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the defendant was arrested with a substantial quantity of drugs, weapons and ammunition, as well as cash and drug paraphernalia. He has been charged with the possession and delivery of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, as well as firearms charges.
“The arrest of this defendant is not simply about getting drugs out of our community. It is also about getting a dangerous individual off our streets. In addition to a large quantity of drugs and $100,000 in cash seized at the time of his arrest, the defendant was found with three firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition. One firearm was confirmed stolen, and another had its serial number obliterated. To complete the picture of lawlessness, the defendant has pled guilty twice to the sale of narcotics and is, therefore, prohibited from owing a firearm. Delaware County residents should be confident that we will not allow this lawlessness to cross county lines and infect our communities. We pledge to work cooperatively with all of our law enforcement partners to stem the spread of this narcotic fueled lawlessness,” said District Attorney Stollsteimer.
On the morning of Wednesday, June 1, 2022, members of the Pennsylvania State Police, the Delaware County Drug Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department executed a search warrant at 100 Parker Ave., Apt. 22, Philadelphia, the residence of the defendant. A search warrant was also executed on the defendant’s car, a 2021 Honda Accord. The search resulted in the seizure of:
- Glock 43, blue/silver firearm
- Glock 43, pink/silver firearm that was confirmed to be stolen
- Raven Arms MP-25, silver firearm with an obliterated serial number
- Approximately one (1) pound of methamphetamine
- Approximately 275 grams of cocaine
- Approximately 125 grams of fentanyl
- Approximately 400 wax paper bags stamped “Playboy” containing suspected fentanyl
- Approximately 390 wax paper bags stamped “We the best” containing suspected fentanyl
- Approximately 45 wax paper bags stamped “Jungle Killer” containing suspected fentanyl
- Approximately 135 suspected pressed fentanyl pills
- Approximately 640 Xanax pills
- Approximately 35 ecstasy pills
- Crack Cocaine
- Numerous paraphernalia related to drug trafficking and sales
- Approximately $100,00 United States Currency
“I want to commend the members of the Delaware County Drug Task Force, led by Criminal Investigation Division Sgt. Anthony Ruggeri and Deputy District Attorney Laurie Moore. This dangerous undercover operation also involved a number of our law enforcement partners, and we are enormously grateful for their skill and their patience. I would also like to specifically commend the hard work of Sergeant Nicholas Coffin of the Marple Police Department and the members of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Drug Law Division, for their efforts in investigating this illegal narcotics operation,” said Stollsteimer.
Defendant Newby was arraigned and bail was set at $100,000 cash. The defendant has been remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division remind anyone in Delaware County who observes suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.
For press inquiries, please contact Margie McAboy, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-579-0429.