A piece of writing found inside a Philadelphia home is now part of a multi-agency investigation into alleged drug activity, as the man at the center of a large police search last week faces new federal charges.
Federal park rangers arrested Eugene Horsch, 44, on June 19 on drug-related charges, according to court records. Information obtained after his arrest led investigators to search a home on West Chew Avenue late Thursday into Friday.
On Monday, Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner of Investigations Frank Vanore said the search of the Olney home was complete, and items seized were sent for testing.
Over the weekend, federal prosecutors charged Horsch with possession of a firearm by a felon. At the time of his arrest, Horsch, a convicted felon, was on probation for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, documents show. A judge had sentenced him to three years’ probation in that case.
Horsch previously served prison time on a 2013 drug-related conviction, according to court records. In 2004, he was also convicted of aggravated assault and aggravated assault by vehicle, which led to another prison sentence.
According to court documents, a park ranger encountered Horsch around 8 a.m. on June 19 near Independence National Historical Park. The ranger became suspicious after spotting Horsch’s BMW “not displaying a police placard” in a restricted area and seeing the driver — later identified as Horsch — “leaning into the back seat of his vehicle.”
As the ranger approached, a woman seated in the back reportedly said something along the lines of, “You’re going to hurt me,” documents state. Investigators also noted that both Horsch and the woman had sores consistent with drug misuse.
When asked for identification, the woman allegedly gave the name of a missing person, documents said. As an officer escorted her from the car, Horsch reportedly stated, “They’re not hers. She’s a good girl.”
Officers searched the BMW and found two loaded firearms, documents state. As a convicted felon, Horsch is prohibited from possessing guns. Investigators also recovered a phony DEA badge bearing Horsch’s name, additional firearms and “several handcuff keys,” according to court records.
Inside the Olney home Horsch shared with his late father, Ray Horsch, federal agents and DEA Task Force officers discovered “a lot of ammo and some narcotics,” Vanore said Friday. Investigators also found evidence suggesting an attempt to grow or produce narcotics.
The arrest of a man led investigators to a home in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood where they found guns, ammo and chemicals. NBC10’s Siobhan McGirl reports.
Authorities located “various chemicals in bottles” in the basement, along with a 55-gallon drum connected to the home’s water line, Vanore said.
During a news conference Monday, Vanore said DNA testing was underway, but did not specify what evidence is being analyzed. The FBI is assisting in identifying the chemicals recovered from the home.
Police remained at the home Monday in case investigators needed to retrieve more evidence, Vanore said, adding there was no threat to the public. Following a social media rumor about “bodies” inside the house, Vanore stressed there was no evidence of any bodies inside the property.
Among the items seized was a piece of writing about serial killer Ted Bundy that referenced zip ties and a drum, a source familiar with the investigation told NBC10. The note also mentioned killings and “trash that needs to go.” It remains unclear who wrote it.
Horsch’s attorney, Jerome Brown, said the materials, including the writing, likely belonged to Horsch’s father.
“Knowing Ray for the past 50 years, it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s something that he wrote,” Brown said Monday.
Brown declined further comment on the charges.
Philadelphia police said they had no additional information beyond Vanore’s public statements.
A preliminary hearing in the state case is scheduled for Monday, July 6. As of Monday, no court date had been set for the federal case.