David Levinsky
phillyburbs.com
DOC website
Springfield resident Antony Petrucci was sentenced to 7 years in state prison for first-degree drug possession with the intent to distribute..
A Springfield man with ties to a motorcycle gang was sentenced to serve seven years in state prison for possession of large quantities of methamphetamine that he intended to distribute, authorities said.
Anthony Petrucci, 40, will be required to serve at least 3 1/2 years of the prison sentence before he becomes eligible for parole, according to the state Attorney General’s Office.
The sentenced was handed down Friday by Superior Court Judge Jeanne T. Covert in Mount Holly and was based on Petrucci’s guilty plea to first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
During his plea hearing, Petrucci admitted that on Feb. 14, 2006 he was in possession of at least five ounces of methamphetamine that he intended to distribute.
The drugs were discovered that day during a state police raid of Petrucci’s Juliustown Road home. About 2 ½ pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $50,000 was seized along with two loaded handguns, four vials of anabolic steroids and $15,000 cash, authorities said.
At the time of his arrest, New Jersey State Police described Petrucci as a midlevel methamphetamine dealer who was associated with the Warlocks motorcycle gang but not a full member. The gang, which was once believed to be active in six Burlington County towns, is considered violent and active in drug trafficking.
Petrucci pleaded guilty on Nov. 9 last year, the day that his trial was scheduled to begin. He had previously rejected an officer from prosecutors to plead guilty in exchange for a 14-year sentence.
Petrucci previously served just over three years in state prison for a 1997 weapons conviction out of Mercer County, according to the New Jersey Department of Corrections.
David Levinsky can be reached at 609-871-8154 or dlevinsky@phillyBurbs.com