WILMINGTON, DE – A federal jury has convicted Philip Epps, a 36-year-old from Reading, Pennsylvania, of cocaine possession with intent to distribute, as announced by U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss for the District of Delaware. The conviction took place on May 22. Subsequently, on June 26, Chief Judge Colm F. Connolly found Epps guilty in a separate bench trial of additional firearms offenses, including possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The arrest, which occurred on February 28, 2023, led to the discovery of significant evidence. Police retrieved two loaded handguns with removed serial numbers, over 225 grams of cocaine, other drugs including fentanyl and xylazine, and more than $15,000 from a hidden compartment in Epps’ vehicle at a Wilmington motel. Investigations revealed Epps had been acquiring xylazine, a cutting agent, from China through WhatsApp.
U.S. Attorney Weiss emphasized the danger of combining illegal firearm possession with drug trafficking, crediting the arrest to cooperative efforts among local and federal law enforcement. He praised the New Castle County Police Department and their federal partners for their roles in capturing Epps, a repeat offender.
Epps now faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for November 22. The outcome will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant legal factors. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel S. Frey and Michelle Thurstlic-O’Neill, with collaborative investigation support from the New Castle County Police, ATF, and DEA.