Bucks County Detectives and Bristol Township police have released more information on the takedown of an alleged drug and gun ring that operated in Lower Bucks County and Philadelphia.
LevittownNow.com first reported on the investigation Wednesday after tips from readers about a raid in Bristol Township, two arrests, and the filing of court papers.
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Nicholas Pentz, 29, of Bristol Township’s Levittown section, and Brandon Monachelli, 24, of Bensalem Township, were both in police custody.
Monachelli was preliminarily arraigned Wednesday afternoon by District Judge Terry Hughes on charges of corrupt organizations, three counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited, three counts of alter/obliterate mark of identification, three counts of possess a firearm with a manufacturer number altered, seven counts of conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, possession with intent to deliver, firearms not to be carried without a license, crime committed with a firearm, and criminal use of a communication facility. He was held as of Wednesday evening on 10 percent of $5 million bail and restrictions, including a hearing to be held to determine the source of funds if he is able to post bail.
Pentz, who is being held on gun-related charges, will be preliminarily arraigned Friday morning on the same changes as Monachelli.
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At least one other suspect is being sought, and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday more arrests are possible.
Authorities said the so-called “Pentz Drug and Gun Distribution Organization” has been operating in Bucks County and Philadelphia as a source supplier of methamphetamine, assault-style rifles, handguns, untraceable “ghost guns,” and fully-automatic weapons since 2021. The group allegedly provided direct access to a variety of firearms, including fully automatic weapons and parts for modifying weapons to make them more dangerous.
The organization reportedly made “large profits” from sales.
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The investigation by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force and Bristol Township police involved undercover surveillance, covert recordings, drug buys, and the sale of guns, according to court papers.
The arrests come more than a year after police began an investigation following a tip about drug dealing in Bristol Township.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Bucks County detectives served three warrants, resulting in the arrests of Pentz and Monachelli, both convicted felons, as well as the recovery of suspected drugs, money, and multiple firearms.
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During a search of Pentz’s home in the 50 block of Macintosh Road in Bristol Township’s Levittown section on Tuesday, detectives discovered suspected methamphetamine and drug-sale paraphernalia, as well as two firearms: a semi-automatic assault-style rifle with a suppressor, and a 9mm with a custom gold trigger, suppressor, and switch that converts it to a fully automatic firearm. Both weapons were classified by police as “ghost guns,” meaning they were untraceable firearms with no serial numbers. Ammunition, half firearms and parts, and $10,500 in cash were also discovered at Pentz’s home by investigators.
At Monachelli’s residence on Militia Court in Bensalem Township on Wednesday, investigators recovered two firearms, gun parts, ammunition, and methamphetamine paraphernalia, authorities said.
In court papers, county and local authorities wrote the group had been “identified as violent” and as having “direct access to multiple types of firearms,” including fully-automatic guns.
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“I can’t think of a deadlier combination than criminals motivated by illegal guns, meth and money,” District Attorney Matt Weintraub said in a statement. “Thanks to the incredible work of our Drug Strike Force, and its law enforcement partners, we’ve taken some of each off our streets with this bust and seizure. Bucks County is much safer for it. These kinds of investigations, arrests and seizures will continue to be a priority for us.”
Police released photos of firearms they say were recovered during the investigation.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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