Suspected Heroin Dealer Busted in Lansdale Sting

said an alleged prostitution sting led to the arrest of a suspected heroin dealer in the borough.

John Nicholas Gallagher, 45, of the 500 block of Derstine Avenue, Lansdale, was arrested June 22 at his home after a search warrant was served and heroin was found in his home, police said.

Gallagher's arrest was the result of a narcotics investigation that began with the

Gallagher is charged with felony manufacture, deliver and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance; misdemeanor possession of a counterfeit substance and misdemeanor possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, police said.

On June 12, Lansdale Polcie and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted an undercover prostitution operation at 327 W. Main St., Lansdale.

As a result, two women were arrested and charged with prostitution: Kristen Rachel Stephen, 29, of West Main Street; and Janet Lee DeFrancesco, 34, of Danny Lane in Harleysville.

Heroin, cocaine and marijuana were recovered from the apartment where the women were busted, police said.

There were about 100 empty blue glassine heroin bags stamped "Top Dog." 

Lansdale Police investigated the source of the heroin, and determined that the alleged prostitutes' source was a man named "John G.," police said.

In mid-June, a confidential informant unrelated to the prostitution investigation called Lansdale Police and reported that Gallagher is selling heroin from his Derstine Avenue home, police said.

Police said two controlled purchases of heroin were made from Gallagher inside his home during June.

On June 21, District Judge Kenneth Deatelhauser of Souderton granted a search and seizure warrant, police said. On June 22, police executed the warrant.

Police said that, upon their arrival into the home, Gallagher allegedly threw items behind his front door, which were determined to be three bundles of suspected heroin.

Gallagher was found in possession of another bundle of suspected heroin when he was taken into custody, police said.

Another 36 bags of suspected heroin were found in the home, totaling 40 bags in all, police said. Half the bags were stamped "Top Dog."

Gallagher was arraigned June 23 by District Judge Thomas Palladino, police said. 

Bail was set at $7,500, and Gallagher posted bond, police said.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 14 before District Judge Harold Borek in Lansdale.

According to Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas records, Gallagher pleaded guilty to DUI with a controlled substance-first offense in November 2010 for a November 2009 arrest by state police in Skippack.

In 2006, Gallagher pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to eight days in prison and one year probation, according to court records.

Gallagher was also convicted of three incidents of burglary in 1987.

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