Jury convicts Pottstown man of illegal possession of firearm
NORRISTOWN — A jury has convicted a Pottstown man of charges he illegally possessed a firearm, a crime that was uncovered during a traffic stop by state police on Route 422 in Limerick Township.
James Alif Brooks, 42, of the 400 block of Beech Street, was convicted in Montgomery County Court of a felony charge of persons not to possess a firearm in connection with a November 2022 incident on Route 422.
The jury deliberated about four hours before reaching the verdict during a two-day trial.
Judge Wendy G. Rothstein, who presided over the trial, deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigation report about Brooks.
Brooks faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison on the charge. However, state sentencing guidelines could allow for a lesser sentence.
In light of the conviction, the judge increased Brooks’ bail to $99,077 cash and he was remanded to the county jail to await his sentencing hearing.
It was the second time that Brooks faced a jury on the charge. A separate jury in February was deadlocked during its deliberations and the judge declared a mistrial. At that time, prosecutors vowed to retry Brooks.
Assistant District Attorney Robert Joseph Waeltz Jr. handled the case. Defense lawyer Joseph L. Coleman represented Brooks during the court proceedings.
“I am going to be seeking prison time in this case. This defendant’s disregard for his prohibition on possessing a firearm in this case calls for a lengthy prison sentence,” Waeltz said after the trial.
An investigation began about 2:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2022, when state police at Skippack patrolling westbound Route 422 in Upper Providence observed a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander, operated by Brooks, traveling 67 mph in a 55mph zone and conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in Limerick Township.
As troopers approached the vehicle they observed Brooks “constantly moving around in the driver’s seat,” according to the criminal complaint filed by state police Trooper Reginald Washington.
“As I was advising Brooks of the reason for the traffic stop, I observed him being extremely anxious and nervous by looking and moving around the inside of the vehicle,” Washington alleged, adding troopers observed a black semiautomatic firearm, specifically a loaded .40-caliber Zastava CZ99, underneath the driver’s seat with what appeared to be Brooks’ wallet directly next to it.
Due to the observations and Brooks’ nervous behavior, Brooks was asked to exit the vehicle for officer safety and he complied.
When police conducted a background check they determined that Brooks had a previous criminal record, including felony convictions for possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and aggravated assault, making him a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, according to the criminal complaint.
Other charges of carrying a firearm without a license and speeding were dismissed against Brooks.
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