A West Chester Man Facing Drug Charges Had Ghost Guns, Cash Stash, Meth: Police

WEST CHESTER, PA — A West Chester man under police investigation for suspected drug dealing had said he'd shoot cops if they came after him, according to law enforcement, who got backup and went to the apartment anyway, finding a stash of illegal guns and drugs.

An investigation over the last month into meth sales in West Chester led to charges against a West Chester man who police they say had guns, gas masks, body armor, and cash, as well as heroin and methamphetamine in his possession.

The West Chester Borough Police Department said Steven Reaney, 30, of West Chester, faces charges related to drug trafficking and firearms possession that was forbidden due to a prior criminal conviction.

According to court records, Reaney is charged with two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver — a felony — as well as with criminal use of a communication facility, a third-degree felony. A police report also said Reaney is charged with firearms offenses though those specific charges do not appear in court documents.

According to West Chester Borough Police, in late August the Department's Criminal Investigations Division began an investigation into the sale of controlled substances, mainly methamphetamine, from Reaney.

Investigators gathered enough evidence to get a search warrant and went to Reaney's apartment in the 200 block of North Everhart Street in West Chester Borough. Police investigators reported they learned that Reaney threatened to shoot at police if they ever attempted to take him into custody. Police also Reaney had reinforced his apartment to prevent police from entering.

With assistance from the West Chester Regional Emergency Response Team, the warrant was successfully served and Reaney was taken into custody at his apartment, police reported.

Investigators seized a polymer 80 rifle and handgun — commonly referred to as ghost guns — a Winchester 870 shotgun, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, the police report said.

Also seized was body armor with a shotgun holster, two gas masks, more than $1,500 in cash, electronic scales, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, according to the police report.

Police said Reaney has prior felony convictions that included criminal conspiracy for manufacturing a controlled substance, which makes it illegal for him to own or be in possession of a firearm.

Bail was set at $30,000. Court documents show a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1 in District Court 15-1-01.

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