Crime & Safety

Man Charged With Criminal Homicide In Upper Merion Drug Overdose Death: DA

The man who dealt the heroin and fentanyl that led to the death of a victim in Upper Merion has been charged with criminal homicide: DA.

NORRISTOWN, PA -- A Philadelphia man and accused drug dealer has been charged with criminal homicide after a February overdose death in Upper Merion Township, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

Angel L. Leon, 44, of Philadelphia has been charged with drug delivery resulting in death and related counts after Richard Korfmann, 52, overdoes on a cocktail of heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl, the DA said.

The charges represent the county's continued determination to hold drug dealers responsible for the deaths of overdose victims. Fentanyl has been described by authorities as up to 50 times deadlier than street-level heroin.

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“This is the second arrest for this charge in 2017, and I expect more arrests in trying to stop the flow of deadly drugs and save lives," said DA Kevin Steele. "We are committed, and our law enforcement community is committed, to stemming the tide of the pain, suffering, addiction and death that those who traffic poison are raining down on our county and bringing into all of our lives.”

A maid discovered Korfmann's body on Feb. 23 at a hotel in Upper Merion, according to authorities. Korfmann was lying dead on the floor and there were seventeen blue wax paper bags stamped "Miami" and "Pepsi" scattered about. The bags contained heroin and fentanyl, the DA said.

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An investigation revealed that Leon and Korfmann had communicated the day before Korfmann's death, and that Leon brought the drugs to the hotel room at around 11 p.m., police said. The maid found Korfmann dead at around 10 a.m. the next morning.

A search warrant was executed on Lee's residence on West Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, where police found 13 bundles of heroin, stamped with names like “Super Mario,” “Pitbull,” “Hurricane,” and “Popeye."

Bail was set at $1 million and Leon was taken to Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for April 26.

Image courtesy Montgomery County District Attorney's Office

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