Philadelphia Man Held For Trial On Drug Trafficking in Chester County

WEST CHESTER — A 33-year-old Philadelphia man with a history of drug and weapon offenses is back behind bars on charges of selling heroin and fentanyl throughout Chester County and neighboring counties.

Walter Williams was ordered held for court on Friday following a preliminary hearing before District Judge Marc J. Lieberman in the Chester County Justice Center here.

He is in Chester County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail awaiting trial.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said law enforcement officers worked tirelessly for several months before taking Williams into custody.

Williams was arrested May 23 after Chester County detectives and a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force seized 25 grams of fentanyl, 90 bags of packaged fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia at the Hillside Motel, Glen Mills, Delaware County where he was staying.

Investigators seized:

• 125 grams of fentanyl with a street value of $12,500;
• 90 bags of fentanyl packaged to sell, valued at nearly $2,000
• Drug paraphernalia, including scales and cutting agents

“Considering it takes far less than a gram for fentanyl to be lethal, this seizure by Chester County Detectives and HIDTA had the potential to cause hundreds of drug overdose deaths,” Ryan said. "Thanks to the officers’ dedicated efforts, Chester County is safer from the ravages of this poison.”

According to court records, Williams has a criminal history:

• In 2010, Williams was sentenced to 11 1/2 to 23 months in Chester County Prison for weapon and drug offenses.
• In 2016, Williams was sentenced to 11 2/2 to 23 months for weapon offenses.
• In 2018, Williams was sentenced to two to four years in state prison on illegal drug sales.

According to prosecutors;

The investigation began in March 2022 after police learned Williams was making regular drug deliveries to Chester County and surrounding counties.

Investigators made three controlled buys in East Bradford Township between April and May to purchase suspected heroin/fentanyl from the defendant.

• April 21: Five bundles of suspected heroin/fentanyl
• April 26: 10 bundles of suspected heroin/fentanyl
• May 4: 10 bundles of suspected heroin/fentanyl

Assistant District Attorney Michelle Thurstlic-O’Neill is prosecuting the case.

If you or anyone you know suffers from a substance use disorder, contact law enforcement for help.

The Chester County's new Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative lets people with substance use disorders use local police to be connected to treatment at no cost. Contact your local police for more information.