Alleged Lansdale Heroin Dealer Heads to County Court on Felony

A Lansdale man accused of dealing heroin in Lansdale had two charges dropped and bail reduced Tuesday at Lansdale District Court — but the one felony charge remains.

Paul Michael Gensert, 33, of the 300 block of Acorn Street, Lansdale, who was convicted of drug dealing in 2010, waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday. He heads to Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas arraignment April 24.

Gensert's attorney Frank Flick alluded his client turned to heroin to deal with severe pain from lingering injuries.

"It's an unfortunate and common occurrence," said Flick, "that people get injured, and during the recovery process, get addicted to painkillers. Heroin is cheaper, and they often turn to the drug."

Gensert's bail was reduced from $25,000 cash to $5,000 straight cash bail, so that Gensert can work at the county prison.

Two charges were also withdrawn: one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of purchase/receipt of a controlled substance.

Gensert faces the following charges at trial: Felony possession with intent to distribute, one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance, and two misdemeanor counts of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, according to court records.

On his Feb. 1 arrest, Gensert was in violation of probation, and a detainer was filed against him with the Montgomery County probation department, police said.

Gensert's mother, brother and other family members were present at his hearing. Gensert's brother and mother attemtped to shield Gensert from cameras upon his exit from his hearing.

Gensert was arrested by Lansdale Police for allegedly selling heroin in the borough, following a six-month investigation by the Lansdale Police Street Crimes Unit.

 According to an affidavit, in August 2012 and January 2013, Lansdale Police Department received information from two separate confidential informants that a white male nicknamed "Paulie," who lives near Panico's Neighborhood Grill and Sports Tavern, was selling heroin.

On Jan. 13, detectives in Lansdale Police's Street Crimes Unit met with a confidential informant to conduct a controlled purchase of heroin that was allegedly previously arranged with Gensert, police said. The informant was given marked currency to make the purchase, police said.

The informant was followed to the pre-determined location in Lansdale Borough for the alleged sale, police said. 

A tan Ford Ranger pickup arrived at the buy location, police said, and it was driven by Gensert, who was the sole occupant.

Police observed the informant allegedly meet with Gensert for less than a minute, police said. Gensert then drove off from the scene, police said.

Immediately after the buy, the informant met with police and turned over the heroin, according to the affidavit. Police said the informant was never out of view of police.

On Jan. 31, a search and seizure warrant was signed by District Judge Harold Borek for Gensert's home and vehicle, and Gensert himself, according to the affidavit.

On Feb. 1, at 4 p.m., Lansdale Police detectives and patrol officers executed the search warrant at Gensert's home, police said. 

Gensert was stopped in his Ford Ranger pickup in the area of North Cannon Avenue and West Sixth Street, police said.

Six blue glassine bags containing suspected heroin were allegedly found on Gensert, police said.

While Gensert was being processed at Lansdale Police headquarters, he received two text messages that were "drug related," police said.

"Gensert waived his Miranda Rights and admitted to selling heroin for the past four to five months," stated the affidavit.

Gensert received seven years probation after pleading guilty in Montgomery County court in April 2010 to felony manufacture/possession/delivery of a controlled substance, according to court documents. 

According to court records, Gensert was charged in March 2009 by Hatfield Township Police with two felony count of manufacture/delivery/possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, two felony counts of criminal use of a cell phone, two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts of use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

The remaining charges were sought for prosecution by the Commonwealth in 2010.

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