Jonathan Jose Santiago, 28, of Philadelphia, was sentenced 18- to 36-months in prison after pleading guilty to felony charges of carrying a firearm without a license and possession with intent to deliver marijuana following a traffic stop in March in Abington Township, the Pottstown Mercury reported.
The investigation began on March 9 when Abington police conducted a traffic stop of Santiago’s vehicle and noticed a strong odor of marijuana and rolling papers in the front console.
“During my encounter with Santiago, he appeared nervous and avoided eye contact with me,” Abington Police Officer Michael F. Sweeney alleged in the arrest affidavit, adding that Santiago admitted he smoked marijuana and presented police with a medical marijuana card that expired in 2022.
Following a search warrant, police found nine individually packaged bags containing suspected marijuana, three suspected ecstasy pills, two digital scales, vacuum sealing devices and drug packaging materials.
“Based on my training and experience, the manner in which the cannabis and quantity thereof was consistent with street level narcotics sales. Additionally, the vast amount of various packaging and drug paraphernalia was also consistent with street level narcotics sales,” Sweeney alleged.
Police also discovered a black Sig Sauer P320 9mm handgun with an extended magazine under the rear passenger seat. A record’s check revealed the handgun had previously been reported stolen in Warminster Township. Santiago did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.