The man who bought a gun that a convicted felon used to kill Plymouth Township Police Officer Bradley Fox admitted Tuesday that he had bought the weapon.
Michael J. Henry, 31, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty before Montgomery County Court Judge Joseph A. Smythe to 23 counts of three types of crimes - making a false written statement, firearm sales, and unsworn falsification to authorities - from when he said on forms at the gun store that he was the buyer.
In fact, Henry bought the 9mm Beretta for Andrew C. Thomas, 44, whose status as a convicted felon made it illegal for him to purchase a firearm. Henry told investigators that Thomas paid him $500 for each of several guns.
On Sept. 13, Thomas killed Fox, who was one day shy of turning 35, after a pursuit. Thomas then killed himself.
Authorities learned later that Henry had been a straw buyer - someone who legally buys a firearm for a felon who legally cannot purchase them. Henry told investigators that he bought nine guns for Thomas between April 10 and July 31, including the Beretta.
In the courtroom Tuesday were members of the Plymouth Township Police Department and Fox's widow and parents. Fox's wife, Lynsay, is due to give birth this month to a boy she plans to name Bradley Jr.
Smythe ordered a presentence investigation and set no date for the next proceeding.
If the sentences for all the crimes were to run consecutively, Henry would face a prison sentence of 42 to 84 years.
Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said that during the proceeding, as he went through the facts of the gun purchase, Henry "agreed that was the murder weapon that was used to kill Officer Fox."
Henry's lawyer could not be reached for comment.
"This case is a tragic example of the consequences of somebody buying a firearm and putting it in the hands of a convicted felon," Steele said.
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