Tacony man faces
50 years in prison

A convicted drug dealer who collected dozens of guns and explosives inside his Tacony home will have to live well into his 90s if he is to regain his freedom following a federal sentencing hearing last week.
James Hogeland, 46, formerly of the 6500 block of Torresdale Ave., was ordered to spend the next 50 years in prison for possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The case stemmed from a July 2004 search by Philadelphia police and federal agents on Hogeland’s home in which they found about 20 handguns, shotguns, rifles and ammunition, along with a homemade grenade and bomb-making equipment. Authorities also found 473 grams of meth in the house and a large quantity of Ephedrine, an agent used in the production of the drug.
In addition to the guns, explosive and ammo — some of which was of an armor-piercing variety — police found two crossbows, several knives and swords and a ceremonial cannon.
Last October, Hogeland was convicted of eight criminal counts related to the drugs and weapons.
At the time of his arrest, police described Hogeland as a major local meth dealer.
In the federal judicial system, there are no provisions for early release via parole. ••