Charges Upheld Against Former Cop Turned Alleged Meth Dealer

Charges were upheld in the case against 67-year-old Jack Pennington, a King of Prussia resident and former Norristown police officer who is is alleged to have conducted an extensive methamphetamine and prescription pill sales and distribution operation in Montgomery County.

Pennington went before Judge William Maruszczak in district court on Tuesday, Aug. 29 for a preliminary hearing in which a Montgomery County detective testified to wire taps and survellience conducted on Pennigton over a three-month period. Judge Maruszczak upheld all charges against Pennington and denied a request by defense attorney John McMahon Jr. for a reduction in the $2 million bail. 

"We presented a very strong case against Mr. Pennington," said Assistant District Attorney Nathan Schadler. "We outlined his and his organizations activities in dealing both Percocets and crystal methamphetamines to individuals around Montgomery County."

"This is a case we will continue to work very hard on," said Schadler. "We continue to make sure that the citizens of Montgomey County are protected from indviduals who would deal drugs on our streets."

The defense, however, maintains the Commonwealth's case is circumstantial, citing testimony from a county detective that during surveillance of Pennignton, authorities did not actually witness any hand-to-hand transactions.

"I thought the evidence that was presented was very circumstantial evidence," said McMahon. "There was a lot of hearsay that was allowed. When you look at the whole case there's certainly what we would call rather weak circumstantial evdience, but there's no real solid, direct evidence to support the allegation."

Pennington faces charges including 16 counts of manfucturing, delivery or possession of a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy to manfucturing, delivery or possession of a controlled substance and one count of corrupt organizations. He is currently being held in Montgomery County Correctional Facility until his arraignment scheduld for October in a Montgomery County court.

Read more about the case against Pennington and his arrest .

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