In NORRISTOWN, a man from Norristown and six people from Philadelphia have been accused of being part of a gun and drug trafficking organization that spread across Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Philadelphia counties. This organization illegally bought and sold 19 firearms, as well as distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, prescription pills, and marijuana.
The District Attorney of Montgomery County, Kevin R. Steele, and Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Division Captain James S. Cuttitta announced on Monday that they have dismantled the corrupt organization.
The seven defendants are facing various charges, including being part of corrupt organizations, making false statements on federal gun purchase forms, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, illegal sale or transfer of firearms, unsworn falsification, persons not allowed to possess firearms, possession with intent to sell controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit those offenses.
Scott Michael Grondin, 42, from the 2300 block of North 9th Street, Philadelphia, who was identified as the leader of the organization, is facing 216 charges, most of which are felonies.
The other six accused co-conspirators are: Bella Skylar Kenna, 21, from the 2300 block of North 9th Street, Philadelphia, who, according to court papers, was Grondin’s girlfriend; Anthony Michael Figueroa-Marko, 34, from the 2300 block of North 9th Street, Philadelphia; Emanuel Eduardo Torres, 32, from the 700 block of South 2nd Street, Philadelphia; Asad Sayed, 27, from the 1300 block of South 6th Street, Philadelphia; Felicia Marie McKinnell, 30, from the 2900 block of West Wishart Street, Philadelphia; and Christopher Michael McNelly, 27, from the 700 block of Kohn Street, Norristown.
Montgomery County Detective Richard Hoffner and state police Trooper Michael Primerano alleged in a criminal complaint that the purpose of this corrupt organization was to illegally obtain and distribute numerous firearms to be used for illegal activity. The organization would remove the serial numbers from the firearms in order to evade law enforcement investigations into violent crimes and conceal the true recipients.
The investigation discovered that the group’s main operations were based in the 2300 block of North 9th Street in Philadelphia, where Grondin, Kenna, and Figueroa-Marko lived. Detectives claimed that there were a large number of visitors showing signs of involvement in drug trafficking and illegal activities, and surveillance confirmed that the residence was the central point of the operation.
The investigation began in December 2023 at a gun show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Upper Providence Township. Members of the group purchased multiple firearms and displayed suspicious behavior, according to authorities.
The Violent Crime Unit in the county reviewed the alleged gun purchasing behavior of several conspirators and found many signs of straw purchases. The investigation involved watching them and checking the paperwork for firearms purchases.
A straw purchase happens when someone who can legally buy a gun does so and then illegally gives or sells it to someone who cannot legally buy that gun.
In this investigation, detectives found pictures of illegally purchased firearms, some of which had their serial numbers removed. The communications they captured detailed their plans to illegally get guns, erase the serial numbers, and then sell them for profit.
Detectives claimed that members of the group bought or transferred 19 guns between Jan. 19, 2023, and Feb. 26, 2024.
The firearms were bought for Grondin, who couldn't legally buy or have them due to previous burglary convictions, according to court documents. Grondin allegedly offered the firearms obtained by the group to his customers involved in gun and drug trafficking.
According to court papers, McNelly, Kenna, Figueroa-Marko, and Sayed were allowed to buy firearms legally.
According to court documents, Kenna is accused of buying four guns in 35 days, including at a gun show in Oaks. Sayed is accused of buying five guns at gun shops in West Chester and Philadelphia. McNelly is accused of buying two guns at gun stores in the Norristown area. Figueroa-Marko is accused of buying eight guns over 113 days at gun shops in Philadelphia and Yeadon, Delaware County, and at a gun show in Oaks.
The weapons bought by the alleged co-conspirators included 9mm semiautomatic handguns, .357-caliber, .22-caliber and .40-caliber revolvers and 12-gauge shotguns, according to court papers.
The investigation involved watching some of the defendants at the gun shows in Oaks.
As the investigation continued, authorities found out that some members of the group were also involved in separate drug trafficking activities in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. During the investigation, detectives conducted several so-called “controlled buys” of significant amounts of methamphetamine from Grondin and Kenna, according to authorities.
“This organization not only sold controlled substances on a consistent frequent basis but also supplied illegal firearms to others. Their ongoing drug trafficking along with the various indicators further supports our assertion that these firearms were purchased illegally with the intention of being involved in criminal activity,” Hoffner and Primerano alleged.
Grondin, Kenna, Sayed, Figueroa-Marko and Torres tentatively face May 7 preliminary hearings on the charges before District Court Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar in Lower Providence. McKinnell faces a May 14 preliminary hearing before Rebar. McNelly’s preliminary hearing is awaiting a scheduling date.
The current bail amounts for the seven defendants vary from $25,000, 10% to $99,000 and $150,000 in cash.
The county’s Violent Crime Unit and state police received help during the investigation from members of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
