Police: Body armor, narcotics, cash seized during raid at Lower Burrell house

Police accused a Lower Burrell man of being a drug dealer after narcotics, body armor, a large amount of cash and other evidence was seized from his home during a raid.

Jevon Damian Sims, 33, of the 100 block of Ireland Drive was charged with felony counts of illegal possession of body armor and possession of drugs with the intent to deliver along with three counts of illegal drug possession.

Sims was released from the Westmoreland County jail after a Pittsburgh bond agency posted a $75,000 bond, according to court records.

He faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Cheryl Peck-Yakopec on Oct. 25.

Police began investigating after officers confiscated a bag with 10 illegally manufactured Percocet tablets from a man who said he bought them from Sims for $100, according to a criminal complaint.

Police said the pills made outside of a pharmaceutical plant typically contain the narcotic fentanyl, which is a frequent contributor to drug overdose deaths.

Lower Burrell police and agents from the state Attorney General’s office executed a search warrant at Sims’ home on Aug. 8 using a battering ram to enter the rear door, according to the complaint.

Sims directed investigators to a shoulder bag where they found some of the drugs along with a digital scale and cash, the complaint said.

Police said a Second Chance brand bullet-proof vest was found hanging in a bedroom closet. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for someone charged with or having past convictions for felonies to possess body armor.

Police said 18 hypodermic syringes — 12 labeled Lorazapam and six labeled morphine — were found in a bedroom safe along with more cash.

During the search, police also found several bags and bottles containing a white powder, including some that tested positive for fentanyl.

More than than 100 pills containing a variety of suspected illegal narcotics also were sized from the home along with a varies types of ammunition, the complaint said.