Community Corner

Three Arrested on Heroin, Pot Charges at Holiday Inn

Towamencin Police found one arrestee allegedly concealing himself in a car in a secluded area of the parking lot, which led them to a room at the hotel where two other arrestees were found. A search of a second car revealed 405 bags of suspected heroin

Two men and one woman were arrested by August 18 and charged with various drug law violations following investigations into incidents at Holiday Inn on Sumneytown Pike on August 17.

Charged were:

  • Brian Frederick Gottlieb, 26, of the 1900 block of West Bishopwood Boulevard, Towamencin. Faces four charges.
  • Brittany Elizabeth Benner, 22, of the 100 block of Hopewell Road, Telford. Faces 62 charges.
  • Shane Michael Gesnaker, 24, of the 400 block of S. Main Street, Quakertown

At 4:10 p.m. August 17, Towamencin Police were on patrol in a marked patrol vehicle at Holiday Inn, 1750 Sumneytown Pike, and saw a vehicle parked in a secluded area of the property, police said.

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As the vehicle passed, two occupants in the vehicle - later identified as Gottlieb and a female passenger - allegedly attempted to conceal themselves from the officer, police said.

The officer made contact with Gottlieb, who allegedly gave the officer a fake name, police said.

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Gottlieb allegedly gave a fake name because he had an open warrant in Florida, police said.

Police said Gottlieb was in possession of a syringe with suspected heroin residue. He also allegedly had brass knuckles with a knife extension, considered by police to be a prohibited offensive weapon, police said.

Gottlieb was taken into custody by police. The female was identified and released, police said.

That female, police said, was found later with two other people inside a hotel room during the police investigation.

One of the occupants of that room was identified as Benner, police said. Police said a small amount of marijuana was found in the room and syringes were found in a purse belonging to Benner.

The other occupant of the room was identified as Gesnaker, police said.

Gesnaker and the unnamed female traveled to the hotel in a silver Acura owned by Benner, police said. 

Police obtained a warrant and searched the Acura the next day, August 18, police said.

Found in the Acura were 405 bags of suspected heroin, estimated at $6,000, police said.

Also found was a black pellet gun, a box of unused syringes and a glass pipe with suspected marijuana residue, police said.

Gottlieb was charged with the following four misdemeanors:

  • Possession of a Prohibited Offensive Weapon
  • False Identification to Law Enforcement
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Benner was charged with the following 62 offenses:

  • Two counts of Felony Possession/Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver
  • 29 counts of Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • 30 counts of Misdemeanor Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • One count of Misdemeanor Purchase/Receipt of a Controlled Substance

Gesnaker was charged with the following 61 offenses:

  • Two counts of Felony Possession/Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance
  • 29 counts of Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • 29 counts of Misdemeanor Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • One count of Misdemeanor Purchase/Receipt of a Controlled Substance

All three will have hearings before District Judge Harold Borek of Lansdale.

Gottlieb has a preliminary hearing set for August 27 at 10 a.m. Gesnaker has a preliminary hearing set for August 27 at 10:30 a.m. Benner has a preliminary hearing set for August 27 at 11 a.m.

All were arraigned August 18 before District Judge Albert Augustine in Skippack, according to court records.

Bail was set against Gesnaker at $100,000 cash. Bail was set against Benner at $25,000 cash. Bail was set against Gottlieb at $2,500 cash.

Gesnaker remains imprisoned at Montgomery County Prison on two probation violations, according to prison records.

Gottlieb has not been incarcerated, but is being held on a probation detainer, police said.

Benner is out on bail, according to prison records.

Gesnaker pleaded guilty to two counts of felony manufacture/delivery/possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver or manufacture in Souderton Borough in February 2012, according to court records. He was sentenced to 15 months, 11 days to 23 months in prison and three years probation. Gesnaker was eligible for work release.

In August 2008, Gesnaker pleaded guilty to use/possession of drug paraphernalia in West Norriton. He was given one year probation, according to court records.

Gottlieb has had seven crimnal cases in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas since 2005, according to court records.

In January 2012, Gottlieb pleaded guilty to use/possession of drug paraphernalia in Towamencin, according to records. He was sentenced to one year probation.

Gottlieb pleaded guilty to DUI in March 2010 for an October 2009 arrest in Northampton County, according to court records. He was sentenced to five days to six months in prison, with credit for time served.

Benner was busted in January 2011 for DUI in Souderton, according to court records.

She was assigned to the ARD program of Montgomery County for one year in August 2011. The sentencing also included license suspension, alcohol highway safety school and community service, according to court records.


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