[ad_1]
NORRISTOWN — A Lower Merion man is on his way to state prison for trafficking methamphetamine after detectives seized about four pounds of crystal methamphetamine and more than $100,000 in suspected drug proceeds during two searches of his residence.
John Francis Devivo, 58, of the unit block of Academy Road in the Bala Cynwyd section of the township, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court on Friday to 7 to 14 years in a state correctional facility after he pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine in connection with incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2022.
Judge Thomas P. Rogers imposed the sentence as part of a plea agreement. Devivo had been scheduled to stand trial on the charges next week.
“Mr. Devivo admitted to distributing methamphetamine to customers in the Lower Merion area,” Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Mills said on Friday, adding the amount of methamphetamine seized is a sign “that he’s a significant drug trafficker.”
“He was distributing quantities of methamphetamine and possessing quantities of methamphetamine that do not indicate low-level sales. He was selling significant amounts.
“This wasn’t someone selling small amounts in order to support a habit. This was someone who was selling large amounts and frequently enough to be able to have that amount of cash on hand as illegal proceeds of his drug trafficking. He was selling methamphetamine to make money,” Mills added.
Devivo did not address the judge before the sentence was imposed. He was represented by defense lawyer Francis Genovese.
“He was obviously willing to accept responsibility which is why he entered the overall plea agreement that he did,” Genovese said.
Court documents indicate that at 9:15 a.m. May 19, 2021, detectives, armed with a search warrant, went to the Academy Road residence where Devivo, a “primary target” of a drug investigation, resided with his elderly parents.
“Devivo was detained while the house was secured and searched. Inside the house, investigators located approximately three pounds of crystal methamphetamine and approximately $100,000 in suspected drug proceeds,” county detectives and state police alleged in the criminal complaint.
Detectives alleged that “when broken down into smaller quantities, the estimated street value for three pounds of crystal methamphetamine is approximately $30,000.”
Authorities alleged that searches of the residence and Devivo’s vehicle also turned up unused drug packaging materials and multiple digital scales.
Based on their knowledge, training and experience with drug investigations, detectives alleged in court papers that “the combination of drugs, suspected drug proceeds and drug paraphernalia are all indicative of a large-scale drug dealing operation being conducted out of the residence.”
A year later, on May 17, 2022, while Devivo was free on bail awaiting court action on the 2021 drug charges, authorities searched the Academy Road residence again and seized 33 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia including a digital scale and containers commonly used to package controlled substances, and about $14,000 in drug proceeds, according to a criminal complaint.
“He was able to post bail and was out and instead of taking that as an opportunity to follow the rules and remain crime free he went right back to selling methamphetamine again,” Mills alleged.
Mills said the state prison term is warranted and significant.
“It certainly should send a message that if you are coming to Montgomery County and distributing large quantities of controlled substances, whether it’s methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, we’re going to take that seriously,” Mills said.
Mills praised the investigation conducted by detectives from the county and Lower Merion, saying it was well done and resulted in Devivo admitting guilt.
“In the face of all that evidence, the defendant accepted responsibility and he pled guilty and it was definitely due to the wonderful investigation by our county detectives and Lower Merion partners,” Mills said.
[ad_2]
Source_link
