More than 13-months after his arrest on a litany of felony drug and weapons charges, a jury has found 44-year-old Duane Watson, of Towamencin, guilty on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute and one felony county of criminal use of a communications facility.
The verdict was rendered on Oct. 31, and Watson—who goes by the alias “Boogieman”—will face sentencing in the next two-to-three-months, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Though the district attorney’s office could not provide a sentencing estimation, they did say that Watson will serve state prison time due to prior criminal convictions.
The jury also found Watson not-guilty on a felony charge of prohibited possession of a firearm. All other felony and misdemeanor charges, including multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a weapon of mass destruction, bomb threats and associated conspiracy charges were either dismissed or withdrawn, according to court documents.
The Original Investigation
The investigation into Watson began in November of 2017, when suspicious activity—including an unusual amount of vehicle traffic accessing and leaving—was reported at his residence along the 500 block of Candlemaker Way, 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, 2018, 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
The complaint states that the Towamencin Township Police Department began their 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 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.
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 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.
See also:
Towamencin ‘Boogieman’ Arraigned On Felony Drug, Weapons Of Mass Destruction Charges
‘Boogieman’ Waives Prelim In Exchange For Reduced Bail
Man Strikes Plea Deal In Connection With Assault, Harassment Incidents In Lansdale
Lansdale Doctor Pleads No Contest To Two Felony Counts Of Unlawful Prescribing
Charges Dropped Against Man Accused Of Attempted Bank Robbery
