Suspected Philadelphia drug dealer charged in Montco death

UPPER MERION TWP, Pa. (WPVI) -- A suspected drug dealer from Philadelphia has been arrested in the death of a man in Montgomery County.

Authorities say 44-year-old Angel Leon was arrested on the criminal homicide charge of Drug Delivery Resulting in Death in the February 23rd death of 52-year-old Roger Korfmann in Upper Merion Township.

On Friday, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, and the Upper Merion Police Department announced Leon's arrest.

"It equates to 3rd degree murder," Steele said.

Korfmann was found dead by a maid inside the Hyatt House Hotel.

Investigators say he had a belt wrapped around his arm. They say he overdosed on a combination of heroin and fentanyl.

"We're going to be going after people that are dealing drugs, and looking at them as homicide cases," Steele said.

Officials say by tracking texts on Korfmann's cell phone, they found Leon was the dealer.

A search warrant was served on Leon's house on Roosevelt Boulevard Friday.

Inside the home, officials say they found items including heroin, a loaded pistol, cash, and a scale with heroin residue.

Steele says the opioid epidemic in Montgomery County is growing out of control. He says fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin and it is flooding the streets.

"Montgomery County alone, 249 people died of overdoses last year," Steele said.

"The challenge that we face is once the users find out someone died from an overdose, they want to buy that batch because they think they're going to get a greater high," Shapiro said.

Steele and Shapiro say the charges coming against Leon should serve as a warning to all drug dealers in Montgomery County and the state.

"Drug dealers in Pennsylvania should be on notice that heroin mixed with fentanyl is a killer and if you kill a buyer, we are going to hold you accountable," Shapiro said.

Officials say if anyone knows someone who is addicted to opioids, they should try their best to get that person help before it's too late. They recommend calling the cops on the person, if need be.

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