PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia man is being held without bail in Bucks County after authorities said he fired at officers serving a warrant as part of a widespread, multimillion-dollar drug investigation.
Around 6 a.m. on Jan. 15, officers went to serve a warrant at 25-year-old Nicholas Sperando’s home on Fairdale Road in Northeast Philadelphia. While trying to serve the warrant, authorities said Sperando fired shots through the door, despite repeated identifying shouts from police announcing a warrant.
“This bullet would defeat the body armor of a police officer, so his intentions were clear in my mind as to what he was trying to do to the police officer serving that warrant,” said Bensalem Director of Public Safety William McVey.
Investigators said the gun jammed, likely preventing him from firing more rounds. No one was injured.
Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Christopher Rees said a series of controlled buys by the Bucks County drug task force led police to Sperando. He credits officers with de-escalating the situation.
“It’s literal bravery under fire,” he said. “These men just calmly went about their job and ensured that they, as well as any of the individuals you might see on these screens, walked away on that day.”
Sperando is charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, as well as drug and firearms violations. He is being held without bail.
“This cowardly act against our officers was an attack on the rule of law, and our office will always protect those who risk their lives to protect us, even when that happens across county lines,” Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said in a statement. “Defendants like this shouldn’t be allowed to buy their way out of jail, which is why our office successfully argued to have him detained in Bucks County without the possibility of posting cash bail.”
Two other men are in custody, charged with being a part of the drug ring. In all, officials said they seized eight firearms and $4 million worth of drugs, including 300 pounds of marijuana, 17,000 THC vapes, psilocybin mushrooms, Adderall and cocaine.