WEST CHESTER, PA — A jury in Chester County has convicted Patrick Britton, 39, of Coatesville, PA, for illegal possession of a firearm, according to an announcement made on Friday. The verdict follows a search warrant executed at Britton’s residence by Chester County Detectives on October 30, 2019.
Britton, who had a previous conviction in 2010, is prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm. “The defendant had no legal right to possess a firearm because of a previous felony conviction,” stated Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “He hid it in a shoebox where the children who resided with him could have easily found it thereby risking their lives.”
The detectives’ search in 2019 was part of a broader operation, which included controlled drug purchases involving Britton and other individuals known to law enforcement. These operations were facilitated with the help of a confidential informant.
On the day of the search, detectives discovered a Smith and Wesson revolver hidden inside a shoebox in a closet in Britton’s bedroom, located on the 500 block of Walnut Street in Coatesville. Upon further investigation, it was confirmed that Britton was not legally allowed to possess a firearm in Pennsylvania due to his 2010 conviction for drug delivery.
District Attorney Ryan affirmed the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to community safety, stating, “Law enforcement will continue its mission to find every illegal firearm so we can do our part to keep the community safe.”
The case was investigated by Chester County Detectives and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Justin Roberts.
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