Cops, Courts & Fire -Bensalem Township
Bensalem Man Charged, Jailed on 96 Drug, Gun Counts as part of Pentz Criminal Organization, Says DA
A Bensalem Man was charged and jailed Thursday with more firearms sales and possession offenses than anyone else in Bucks County, authorities said in recent history and ruined his holiday plans with being sent to County Prison.
Russell Byron Norton, of Bensalem, is being held in lieu of $5 million bail, 10% cash, after being charged with 96 counts related to his role in drug and gun trafficking organization in Lower Bucks County.
Credit: Bucks Co DA’s Office
Detectives identified Norton as a ghost gun manufacturer and firearm seller for the Pentz Drug and Gun Distribution Organization which this publication broke the story on back in June when Bristol Township Police and County Detectives raided a Macintosh Road residence
Norton is alleged to have built and/or delivered AR-15 rifles, AK-47 rifles, and other different caliber handguns, authorities said in a Friday press release.
“Once again, and not for the last time, our Drug Strike Force has partnered with many law enforcement agencies to take down an illegal gun runner,” District Attorney Matt Weintraub said. “This great work by law enforcement has undoubtedly saved lives in our community. More to come.”
Norton was charged with the following crimes: Corrupt Organizations Prohibited Possession of a Firearm (two counts) Altering or Obliterating a Mark of Identification Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Manufacturer Number Firearm Ownership – Duty of Other Persons Firearms not to be Carried without a License Criminal Use of a Communication Facility Possession of an Instrument of Crime Possession of a Controlled Substance
The yearlong investigation culminated Wednesday, with a pair of coordinated search warrants being served at Norton’s home in Bensalem and his business in Bristol Township.
At his home, detectives recovered 13 firearms, which included a ghost gun handgun, two AR-15 type ghost guns and other handguns, rifles and a shotgun and a large amount of ammunition.
At his business, police located 18 firearms in various stages of manufacturing and one completed firearm, along with tools and items used to manufacture and build additional firearms.
In addition, during a search of Norton’s vehicle, police located a 9mm Glock handgun and 45 bags of suspected fentanyl/heroin. During the initial traffic stop of Norton, police found 12 bags of suspected fentanyl/heroin on him.
Pennsylvania law also prohibits Norton from possessing firearms because of a previous felony conviction and because he had an active criminal warrant out of New Jersey.
The Bucks County Strike Force is a part of the Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, focusing on areas of drug trafficking and gun violence.
The Drug Strike Force was assisted in this investigation by Homeland Security Investigations-Philadelphia, Bensalem Township Police Department, Bristol Township Police Department, the Bucks County South SWAT Team, and the Philadelphia Bomb Squad.
“HSI Philadelphia is committed to leveraging federal resources to help dismantle firearms trafficking operations and keeping illegal weapons off our streets,” said Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker of HSI Philadelphia. “Investigations like this one are only brought about through close partnerships and information sharing. Holding such illegal firearms manufacturers and traffickers accountable for their actions is a major step toward achieving our goal of safe and secure communities.” Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Rees is assigned for prosecution.
Credit: Bucks Co DA’s office
Cops, Courts & Fire -Bensalem Township
Cops: Motorist Driving “Erratically” on Street Rd Arrested for Fleeing, DUI
A early morning Tuesday fire in Bensalem took the life of one woman and firefighters were able to rescue a man, community sources told Lower Bucks Source.
Bensalem fire companies were dispatched for the reports of a dwelling fire in the 2900 of Bellview Drive at around 2:45 a.m with possible entrapment.
Police officers on scene reported two residents were unaccounted for and believed to be inside. Fire crews initiated an aggressive quick search and attack of the fire, where a male was immediately located by the doorway, Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department, officials said.
The woman killed in the fire was located shortly thereafter, fire officials said.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the home, officials said.
An on scene witness said they saw a man was taken to the hospital by Bensalem EMS. His condition is unknown as of publication time.
The identity of the woman killed in the blaze has not been released
The fire caused the closure of Bellview Dr, from Morrow Drive to the entrance of Faust Elementary for several hours.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation of the fire marshal’s office.
“The thoughts and prayers of our entire department go out to the family and friends of those affected by this tragedy. It’s a sad day for our Nottingham Village families” said Bensalem Volunteer Fire Dept officials.
Cops
Emergency Crews Prepare for Incoming Blizzard as Lower Bucks Municipalities Declare Storm Plans
Lower Bucks municipalities have declared disaster/snow emergencies in advance of the expected snow storm that the National Weather Service says will dump anywhere between 14 to 18 inches on the area.
A winter storm warning is still in effect from Sunday, Feb 22 to Monday, Feb 23.
Each municipality has its own link. For more information and updates, please click on their associated link.
Bensalem Township – Disaster Emergency declared immediately for the pending snow storm. Click here to see more details.
Bristol Borough – Snow information/requirements have been posted on their website. Click here to see the details.
Bristol Township – Snow Emergency effective 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 through 12 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Click here to see more details.
Falls Township – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. and expires on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 a.m. Click here for details.
Langhorne Borough – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at noon until Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. No parking. Click here for details.
Lower Makefield Township – Snow information has been posted on Meta. Click here to see the details.
Middletown Township – Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. . Click here to see details.
Morrisville Borough – Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. Click here to see the details.
Newtown Township – A Snow Emergency is in effect from 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Click here to see the details.
Penndel Borough – Snow Emergency has been declared from 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, through 12 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026. Click here for more details and click here for more on the ordinance.
Tullytown Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 6 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 6 p.m. Click here to see more details.
Warminster Township – Disaster Emergency has been declared for the incoming snow storm, effective Sunday Feb. 22, 2026 at 12 p.m. through Tuesday, Feb. 24,2026 at 12 p.m.. Click here to see the details and click here to see the declaration from Township Manager Tom Scott.
Yardley Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 4 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 4 p.m. . Click here to see the details. and click here to see declaration/other information from Mayor Caroline Thompson.
The primary concern is safety. Take care of yourselves and check on neighbors and those who may be vulnerable.
Please stay safe, take all necessary precautions, and keep your devices charged.
Click here for updates from the National Weather Service
Click here for PECO’s outage map.
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