Police: Fayette County woman arrested in Arnold for trying to trade AK-47 for 2 bricks of heroin

Police say a Fayette County woman tried to trade an AK-47 rifle for heroin after a source tipped off agents from the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force who were conducting a drug sweep in Arnold.

Jessica Sue Thorpe, 41, of Clinton Road, Saltlick, was charged with felony counts of illegal possession of a firearm and possession of drugs with the intent to deliver.

Thorpe is being detained in the Westmoreland County jail after bail was denied at her arraignment on the charges. A preliminary hearing before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. is scheduled for March 10, according to court records.

Agents from the State Attorney General’s Office, the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and the Arnold Police Department were working a drug suppression detail Tuesday when a source told them Thorpe “was looking to sell an AK-47 rifle for $400,” according to the criminal complaint.

The informant made arrangements through Facebook Messenger to meet with Thorpe at the Arnold Manor public housing high-rise on Horne Street to exchange the rifle for two bricks of heroin instead of cash, the complaint said.

A brick of heroin typically contains 50 packets, or stamp bags, of the narcotic. The street value of each stamp bag typically is between $10 and $15, according to authorities.

The agents spotted a white Chevrolet arrive at the rendezvous point and saw a man get out of the back seat to get a black rifle case out of the trunk and then get back inside the car, police said.

Police vehicles surrounded the vehicle and found four people inside, including Thorpe, who was in the back seat with the rifle case on her lap, the complaint said.

An unspecified quantity of crystal methamphetamine was seized from Thorpe’s purse when she was searched, police said.

Investigators said Thorpe admitted she traveled from Fayette County to Arnold to trade the gun for “dope,” according to the complaint.

Police said she is not permitted to possess a firearm because she previously was convicted of a felony count of arson, the complaint said.

Investigators noted in her arrest papers state police obtained an arrest warrant for Thorpe. Court records show state police from the Kiski Valley station arrested Thorpe in November on drug possession charges.