A Philadelphia man with a previous felony conviction has been handed a sentence of six to 12 years in state prison for crimes that include drug dealing and gun possession. The sentence was announced on Tuesday for 35-year-old Ishmael Colon who had pled guilty earlier this year to multiple offenses. Bucks County's official website reports the penalties also entail a subsequent nine to 12 months of probation following his incarceration period.
Sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr., Colon admitted to five counts of persons not to possess a firearm and one count each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. In April, pleading guilty, his conviction stems from a broader crackdown on local drug and weapons offenses aimed at reducing crime levels across the region, struggling with an uptick in illicit activities.
The specifics of Colon's case included charges for gun possession, despite being prohibited due to his prior felony status, and for holding controlled substances with the intent to distribute them. The drugs and firearm in question were reportedly involved in a sale in Bensalem, where local authorities have been vigilant in rooting out drug-related criminal enterprises.
