Hailemichael, left, Jensen and Kumpf
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, along with Hatfield Township Police Chief William Tierney and Whitpain Township Police Chief Ken Lawson, announced three arrests in connection with the trafficking of illegal firearms, as well as cocaine and methamphetamine.
In a Facebook post, the DA's office Tuesday announced the arrests of Gaime Hailemichael, 25, of North Wales, and Philip Jensen, 31, and Monica Kumpf, 31, both of Blue Bell. Charges include felony counts of corrupt organizations, conspiracy, receiving stolen property, unlawful firearm transfer, and possession
with intent to deliver.
According to the announcement, Hailemichael was allegedly in charge of an operation designed to illegally buy firearms with the intent to sell to another person, so-called "straw purchases.” The DA alleged that the organization purchased 11 firearms and attempted to buy six more within an 11 day period starting April 23. The group, said the DA in the announcement, supplied funds, transportation and makes/models of firearms for Kumpf, the only member legally able to buy and own firearms, to purchase.
The investigation alleged that Kumpf turned over the firearms in return for methamphetamine, which she sold. When Hailemichael was arrested, police said, a half kilo of cocaine was found in his residence, with a street value of $75,000-$100,000.
The operation, according to DA Steele, was focused on obtaining mini-AK-47 weapons, and law enforcement was tipped off by a gun shop employee, "but not before they were able to purchase 10 firearms of various types at four different gun shops in Montgomery County," Steele said. Eight weapons remain unrecovered, he said, and county officials are working with the FBI to track those weapons down.
The defendants were arraigned Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy, who set bail at $1 million for each defendant. The defendants failed to make bail and were remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., June 11, 2019 before Judge Duffy.
(Editor's note: All suspects and defendants are
innocent until proven guilty. Should the defendants choose to issue a public
statement, or are later found not guilty or have the charges dropped, we will
update this article accordingly.)
