BREAKING: A Hatboro man has been sentenced to 6 to 12 months in county jail for attempting to illegally sell firearms to an undercover detective. Eric Scott “Ghost” Haegele, aged 43, pleaded guilty to charges involving the illegal sale of weapons and carrying a firearm without a license in connection with incidents occurring in September 2024.
The sentencing took place in Montgomery County Court, where Judge Thomas M. DelRicci announced that Haegele will be eligible for the jail’s house arrest program after serving at least three months of his sentence. He will also face two years of probation following his release.
The investigation into Haegele began in August 2024, prompted by a confidential source’s tip to Abington Township detectives. The source indicated that a man using the alias “Ghost” was trying to sell three firearms, reportedly staying at a hotel in the area. The weapons included a 9mm Ruger P95 pistol, an American Tactical AR-15 style short-barrel rifle, and a 12-gauge tactical shotgun.
Detective Zachary Zeoli wrote in the arrest affidavit that the investigation commenced due to concerns about Haegele’s illegal activities. Text conversations between Haegele and an undercover detective from September 5 to September 10, 2024, revealed that Haegele sent photos of the firearms and negotiated a price of $400 for the handgun, explicitly stating he would bypass background checks and federal purchase paperwork.
On September 10, Haegele arrived at a predetermined meeting location along Moreland Road in Willow Grove, ready to complete the illegal transaction. Detectives seized the firearms he brought and confirmed that Haegele did not possess a license to carry a concealed firearm.
In a shocking admission, Haegele acknowledged to investigators that he was aware his actions were illegal and revealed he had acquired the Ruger P95 and short-barreled pistol from an unidentified individual in Philadelphia earlier in 2024, without proper documentation.
Haegele’s case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding illegal firearms sales in the region, raising significant concerns about public safety. As authorities continue to crack down on such activities, the implications of this case resonate deeply within the community.
Next steps for Haegele include his initial incarceration period and the subsequent probationary phase. This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal repercussions tied to illegal gun sales and the importance of adhering to firearm regulations.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
