Former Norristown Police Detective Arrested For Drug Dealing
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A former Norristown (Montgomery County) detective is behind bars, accused of dealing crystal meth on the streets of the Norristown area.
Prosecutors say Jack Pennington used his former position of authority and a Norristown police badge (although one specifying "retired") to protect himself while he was dealing drugs on the streets.
But they say it all came to an end this week when the 66-year-old Upper Merion man was arrested when police say he went to meet his supplier at the Plymouth Meeting Mall.
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman says they confiscated drugs, cash, guns, and drug paraphernalia along with that badge.
"This man acted as if he was protected -- he acted as if the rules did not apply to him, that the law did not apply to him, and he used this badge for cover," Ferman said today.
Ferman says it was an anonymous tip that triggered the investigation.
Police are also looking into allegations of illegal bookmaking and prostitution. They say his base of operation was a bar inside an East Norriton bowling alley.
Pennington took early retirement more than a decade ago, amid allegations of wrongdoing. Now, he is being held in lieu of $2 million bail.
