WEST CHESTER — Two Chester County men who are alleged to have kept a significant stash of marijuana in a storage unit in the county were charged last month with drug trafficking.
On Friday, the District Attorney’s Office announced the earlier arrest of the men for what they said was possessing over 100 pounds of marijuana in West Whiteland.
Christian Sholly, 32, and Josiah Silva, 23, both of Exton, were arrested on Oct. 4 and charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance and other related charges. Bail was ultimately set at $250,000 by Magisterial District Judge Erin Bruno of West Whiteland after an arraignment
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said in a press release that the duo had put others at risk.
“This was a home invasion waiting to happen,” the former federal Drug Unit prosecutor said.”The defendants had an absurd amount of marijuana, cash, and jewelry. By stopping this operation, detectives prevented violent crime from happening in West Whiteland.”
The criminal complaints filed by the Chester County Detectives detail that on Oct. 4, law enforcement executed search warrants at two residences on the 400 block of Henley Drive in West Whiteland. The two men were taken into custody at each location. Investigators then seized roughly 60 pounds of marijuana, approximately $180,000 in cash, designer jewelry, and five guns.
Three cars — a BMW X6 M Competition, Tesla Model S Platinum, and Honda Passport — were also seized.
Days later, investigators determined that Sholly had rented a storage unit in Uwchlan, not far from were the dugs were found. A search warrant was executed and approximately an additional 120 pounds of marijuana was located and seized, as well as 50 THC vapes, 286 THC wax canisters, drug packaging material, a scale, and two handguns, one of which was a so-called ghost gun.
It was determined that due to a prior felony conviction, Sholly was not permitted to possess firearms.
The Chester County Detectives worked in partnership with West Whiteland police in this investigation. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Acito is the assigned prosecutor. If you have any information regarding the incident, please call the Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.
