Delco Woman Bought Gun For Crack Dealer: District Attorney

A Delaware County woman told police she bought a handgun for her crack dealer and is now facing numerous felony charges in connection with the straw purchase, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland announced Wednesday the arrest of Jennifer Lynn Morro, 31, of Glen Mills.

Morro is charged with transferring a firearm to a convicted felon, providing false information, tampering with public records, all third-degree felonies, and other related offenses.

Police learned of Morro's alleged straw purchase following a crash at 10:05 p.m. on June 4 Baltimore Pike and Pine Ridge Road in Nether Providence, the DA's office said.

While responding to the crash, police found a brass .9mm fired cartridge casing on the front passenger floor area and a handgun inside a plastic shopping bag on the front seat, according to the DA's office.

Morro told police she purchased the firearm the same day, but she was taken into custody and charged with driving under the influence and possession of a firearm without a license, the DA's office said.

In an interview with police, Morro said she was driving with Ray Woods, also known as "Cash," who asked her to buy a gun for him since he has a criminal history involving a gun charge and selling drugs, the DA's office said.

She said that she has known Woods for the past five years and that he is her crack dealer, according to the DA's office.

Morro then told detectives that Woods gave her $500 cash to purchase a Glock semi-automatic firearm, according to the DA's office. Morro filled out the paperwork, passed the background check, paid for the firearm and a box of ammunition, and was given the .9mm Glock firearm which she then gave to Woods, the DA's office said. Morro also said Woods gave her four bags of crack cocaine in exchange for the gun, the DA's office said.

"In the case of Jennifer Morro, she purchased a gun for a known criminal, showing a complete disregard for the law and the safety of our community," Copeland said. "We commend Nether Providence Police Detective Michael Erickson and Officer Matthew Liss and CID Det. David Tyler for their work on this case. We will continue to aggressively target straw purchases to stop criminals from obtaining firearms illegally. Reducing gun violence is the number one priority of our Anti-Violence Task Force and in addition to investigations, we are working with community organizations, faith-based organizations and gun store owners to raise awareness about the severity of these crimes."

Deputy District Attorney George B. Dawson, Chief of the Anti-Violence Task Force, will prosecute the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

Morro is being held on 10 percent of $25,000 bail and is slated for a preliminary hearing on July 9, court records show.

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office