Eugene Horsch, 44, was indicted on federal charges Thursday for being a convicted felon in possession of guns, including one with an obliterated serial number, as well as being in possession of fake DEA and FBI credentials.
The investigation began June 19 after a federal park ranger noticed a black BMW that was parked in an area it was not supposed to be in the 600 block of Market Street on Independence Mall around 8 p.m.
When the ranger approached the vehicle, he said he heard a woman in the passenger seat say, "You're going to hurt me," according to the criminal complaint.
The ranger said he also noticed that the driver, now identified as Horsch, had sores on his arms and face, which officials say are common among illegal drug users.
The woman in the car also appeared to have sores on her body and was "moving in a twitchy and agitated manner consistent with illegal stimulant drug use," the complaint said.
Officials say the ranger was able to see a butane lighter and saw Horsch holding tweezers, which the officer recognized as being associated with illegal drug use. There were also multiple pairs of scissors around the front seat.
Due to the parking violation, comment overheard by the woman and suspicion of illegal drug activity, the officer asked the two for identification.
A record check confirmed that the vehicle was registered to Horsch but, according to the criminal complaint, the woman accompanying him allegedly provided a false identification bearing the name of a woman who had been reported missing.
The woman allegedly told police Horsch gave her the identification. Police have not offered any details about the missing woman.
When being taken into custody, officers said Horsch admitted that he was a felon.
Police said Horsch had a switchblade knife and a glass pipe in his pocket.
Two loaded guns, including the one with an obliterated serial number, another switchblade knife, a cattle prod device, collapsible baton, handcuffs, as well as crack cocaine were also found in the car, investigators said.
Horsch was also allegedly in possession of fake DEA credentials at the time.
Chew Avenue Investigation
Chemicals, ammo and drugs found after investigation into Olney home, Philadelphia police say
After Horsch was taken into custody, the investigation led officers to a 400 block of West Chew Avenue in Philadelphia's Olney section, where chemicals, ammunition and drugs were found inside a home.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Philadelphia police homicide detectives and the FBI, spent days outside the residence after obtaining a search warrant.
Inside the home, a large number of various chemicals -- including a 55-gallon drum and connections to water lines-- were found in the basement, as well as a gun and more than 120 pieces of ballistics evidence, Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said in a news conference at the time of the search.
Philadelphia police provide update on major investigation underway at home in Olney
While it's not yet known what the chemicals were for, Vanore said investigators have determined that if some of them were put together they could be dangerous if ignited.
Officials say the sheer quantity of chemicals found on the property raised red flags.
Vanore also said there was evidence that Horsch was attempting to grow or produce narcotics on his own.
"We just don't know what he was doing," Vanore said.
Horsch's attorney, Jerry Brown, previously told Action News that his client's father lived in the home for a long time and had "a very interesting past" and he "thinks a lot of the chemistry stuff is [Horsch's] father's."
Brown believes police will find the items harmless.
Documents obtained by Action News also indicate officers found a handwritten note referencing serial killer Ted Bundy and methods for disposing of trash. The note was unsigned.
Vanore also addressed rumors that there were bodies inside the home. He said, at this point, no bodies have been found.
Those developments drew renewed attention from the family of Amy McHale, who disappeared in 2016 and was last seen at the Chew Avenue home.
Missing woman's family says she was last seen at Olney home where police found chemicals, weapons
Investigators said they are conducting DNA testing but emphasized that no bodies have been found at the residence. They cautioned that the process could take time.
"This is not like a TV show where you go to the commercial, come back and everything's done," Vanore said.
Horsch Criminal History
The criminal complaint also lists Horsch's long history with law enforcement.
In January 2004, Horsch was convicted of aggravated assault and aggravated battery by a vehicle. He was sentenced to two to four years.
Then, in February 2014, he was convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to another two to four years in prison.
In November 2025, Horsch was again convicted of possession with intent to distribute, and was sentenced to more than a year in prison and three years of probation.