NORRISTOWN >> Saying a lead member of a violent Pottstown drug-related gang operated in the borough like it was the “Old West” during a series of shootings, a judge sent the man to prison for more than two decades.
Markel “Pudge” Harper, 23, of Harley Drive, Philadelphia, showed no reaction as Montgomery County Judge Steven T. O’Neill sentenced him on Friday to a total of 24 to 51 years in prison on charges he attempted to kill rival gang members during a series of shooting incidents that terrorized borough residents. O’Neill described the shootings as a “reign of terror by young, high-risk males” seeking revenge or respect within the gang culture.
“For a period of time, these males tried to kill each other. The only thing that exists for them is a gun. They will do everything in their power to own their guns, carry their guns and use their guns,” O’Neill said.
“It is like the Old West. They do not want the other side to get the draw on them so they draw first,” O’Neill added.
The judge’s sentence included several consecutive prison terms for each of the shootings in which Harper was involved.
“The court’s sentence is about the magnitude of your crimes…the high risk that you presented to the community,” O’Neill addressed Harper.
Last year, Harper pleaded guilty to felony charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering other persons, persons not to possess a firearm, carrying firearms without a license and receiving stolen property in connection with incidents that occurred between November 2014 and May 2015.
Specifically, Harper, a member of the “Brothas From Anotha Gang,” admitted to being involved in four shootings, two on Nov. 30, 2014, and one each on Dec. 24, 2014, and Feb. 11, 2015. During the 6:21 p.m. Feb. 11 gun battle Harper was shot and wounded, allegedly by a member of rival gang “Straight Cash Money Gang.”
Harper joins behind bars many of his onetime gang affiliates and rivals who were previously sentenced to prison terms ranging from a decade to 57 years.
First Assistant District Attorney Edward F. McCann Jr. was pleased with the judge’s sentence but added the situation is “tragic.”
“This is a young man who was very intelligent, a very bright young man who unfortunately got involved in a life where he lived by this code of respect and not being able to stand for anybody who didn’t respect him,” said McCann, who was assisted by co-prosecutor Tonya Lupinacci.
“It’s tragic that he could not rise above this street code and all the violence he got involved with. These crimes are clearly horrific acts of violence,” McCann added.
Defense lawyer James P. Lyons argued for leniency for Harper, claiming Harper never shied away from responsibility for what happened and upon arrest, immediately accepted responsibility and gave a statement to detectives.
“His statement confirmed a lot of things for detectives. It greatly benefitted their investigation. But he understands there is a price to pay for his decisions,” Lyons argued to the judge.
About Harper’s conduct, Lyons added, “in his mind it was self-defense,” even though it wasn’t justifiable. Harper, Lyons argued, tried to kill people because they were trying to kill him.
Harper was one of 47 people arrested in May 2015 after the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Violent Crime Unit and Narcotics Enforcement Team crushed the two rival gangs operating in Pottstown and Berks County, which authorities said were responsible for violent, drug-related incidents dating back to the summer of 2014. The two gangs were identified during an investigation dubbed “Operation War Ready.”
The conflict between the organizations “resulted in numerous shootings and gun battles,” during a six-month period, detectives wrote in arrest documents. Authorities said the gangs were connected to illegal narcotics trafficking.
McCann touted the joint effort that led to the dismantling of the gangs and the prosecution of the violent offenders.
“I think it was a tremendous amount of good work done by the Pottstown Police Department and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau to get us finally to this day where many of the defendants have been sentenced to lengthy prison sentences,” said McCann, adding the investigation made Pottstown safer.
The first Nov. 30 shooting involving Harper occurred about 6 p.m. in the 300 block of Rowan Alley. Abraham “Flaco” Charriez, an alleged member of “Straight Cash Money Gang,” suffered numerous gunshot wounds to his legs and torso, detectives said, when Harper, armed with a .40-caliber handgun, confronted him.
Harper, accompanied by several other members of “Brothas From Anotha,” also was actively involved in a 10 p.m. Nov. 30 gun fight with members of “Straight Cash Money Gang,” in the 400 block of Elm Street, according to court papers.
Harper admitted that he also took part in the 10:31 p.m. Dec. 24, 2014, shooting in the 300 block of Walnut Street during which Daniel Garcia, an alleged associate of the “Straight Cash Money Gang,” suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
On Feb. 11, 2015, borough police responded to the area of King and North Charlotte streets about 6:21 p.m. for a report of shots fired. The investigation determined Harper initially was shot while he was in the unit block of North Evans Street and he ran to Lesher Alley while the shooter or shooters continued to fire shots at him, according to a criminal complaint.
“Harper fired at least two shots during this gun fight. Harper was shot at least five times and he collapsed on the corner of North Charlotte and King streets, where a Good Samaritan picked him up and drove him to the hospital,” detectives wrote in the arrest affidavit.
