Duane Eric Watson.
A Towamencin man who goes by the alias “Boogieman” is facing dozens of felony drug and weapon charges, following a lengthy investigation into alleged drug activity at his home along the 500 block of Candlemaker Way.
Duane Eric Watson, 43, is currently facing charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver, receipt in commerce of a controlled substance, drug or device, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of marijuana, person not to possess a firearm, weapons of mass destruction, threat to use a weapon of mass destruction and more.
The investigation began in November of 2017, when suspicious activity—including an unusual amount of vehicle traffic accessing and leaving—was reported at Watson’s residence, according to a press release from the Towamencin Township Police Department. Following extensive surveillance and several controlled drug purchases, police were able to secure warrants for the residence and several vehicles, the report states.
On July 19, police executed the warrants, leading to the discovery of narcotic painkillers, nearly $5,000 in cash, an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a quarter stick of dynamite, the report states. Watson was then arrested, and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $500,000 cash bail.
From the Criminal Complaint
North Penn Now was able to secure the extensive criminal complaint while attending Watson’s preliminary arraignment in front of Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine on Thursday afternoon.
The complaint states that Detective Patrick Horne, of the Towamencin Township Police Department, began his investigation into Watson in January 2018, after several anonymous complaints were reported regarding unusually high amounts of foot and vehicle traffic entering and exiting Watson’s home. The complaint is extremely comprehensive, though many names, dates and locations are redacted in order to protect witnesses and confidential sources.
The investigation occurred from January 2018 through July 2018, and included a warrant for cellular tracking, extensive surveillance, 15 controlled purchases of narcotic painkillers, information from confidential sources, and assistance from numerous surrounding police departments, all of whom have had their own encounters with Watson, the report states. Additionally, multiple social media posts from Watson—under the alias “Donald Simmons”—highlighted geographical routes he used to allegedly secure and deliver drugs, with one bearing the quote “I grab bags all the way down 95” along with a screenshot of Interstate 95, according to the complaint.
Prior Incidents and Arrests
The affidavit of probable cause mentions Watson’s prior incidents dating back to an arrest in 1994, with many involving violence and weapons. Watson is suspected of being allegedly involved in a drive-by shooting in Lower Gwynedd several years ago, a stabbing in the West Ambler section of Whitpain Township in Dec. 2009—in which witnesses would not cooperate with police—and other alleged instances of simple assault, aggravated assault and terroristic threats, according to the report.
The criminal complaint also makes mention of Watson being arrested by the El Paso Police Department for a felony drug violation, in which Watson was allegedly found to be in possession of nearly one pound of cocaine, according to the affidavit.
A Weapon of Mass Destruction
Watson is facing a rare felony charge of possessing a weapon of mass destruction, stemming from the discovery of a quarter-stick of dynamite allegedly found in his home when police executed their search warrant. The criminal complaint states that afterwards, Watson called Detective Horne from the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, and threatened to use the dynamite against his neighbors on the 500 block of Candlemaker Way.
Preliminary Hearing / Mental Illness
Watson was arraigned at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, in front of Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine. During the hearing, Watson claimed to be mentally ill, in distress, and unable to process the charges.
“I have a mental illness, your honor, and I don’t really understand what’s going on, where these charges are coming from or any of it,” said Watson, via video conference from county jail. “I’ve been in here for 60 days, in the worst conditions possible.”
Watson repeatedly stated that he was bipolar, and that the stress and conditions of prison were having an adverse effect on his mental health and well-being. He also asked the judge to reduce bail to less than $100,000 cash, as that would allow him to move to the general prison population. Levine declined, citing public safety concerns if Watson were to be released, and continued bail at $500,000, keeping Watson on 23-hour lockdown unless his bail is posted.
“It feels like I’m getting railroaded for some reason,” Watson said. “ I really don’t trust anything that’s going on.”
Watson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. in front of Judge Ed Levine.
(Editor's note: All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. Should the defendant choose to issue a public statement, or is later found not guilty or has the charges dropped, we will update this article accordingly.)
See also:
Firearms Background Check Leads to Charges for Souderton Man
Brooklyn Duo Charged with Identity Theft in Lansdale
Hatfield Police Seek Information in Gunshot Incident
Identities Released in Apparents Murder-Suicide in Upper Gwynedd
Lansdale Doctor Arrested Following Prescription Investigation
