Ambler woman arrested after making ‘straw purchase’ of firearm for ex-boyfriend, police say

An Ambler woman and her ex-boyfriend are facing multiple felony weapons charges following an investigation by the Ambler Borough Police Department.

Police were dispatched to the 100 block of South Bethlehem Pike on Jan. 4 for a report of a stolen firearm. Upon arrival, police spoke with 29-year-old Khayriyyah Al Batin, who stated that her Taurus G2C handgun had been stolen from her apartment, though she provided varying accounts of what had happened, according to charging documents.

During a follow up interview several days later, Al Batin allegedly told investigators that her ex-boyfriend, identified as 34-year-old Diontae Hickmond, of Philadelphia, was angry with her for speaking with police, the report states. Police then performed a background check on Hickmond, which showed he was prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions.

Investigators said they suspected Al Batin had purchased the firearm for Hickmond knowing he was prohibited from owning a weapon, and a review of text messages between the two allegedly showed video of Hickmond holding the firearm with an obliterated serial number and Al Batin responding with “No trace, no case.” 

It was later discovered that Hickmond had paid Al Batin $300 for the illegal purchase, police said. A second firearm was recovered from the center console of Al Batin’s vehicle, with police noting she did not have a valid concealed carry permit.

On April 3, Al Batin and Hickmond were charged with felony counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, knowledge that property is proceeds of illegal act, possession of a firearm with serial number altered, materially false written statements, sales to ineligible transferee, firearms not to be carried without a license, criminal use of a communication facility, conspiracy and related misdemeanor offenses.

Both Al Batin and Hickmond were taken into custody on April 23 and arraigned, at which point bail was set at 10% of $5,000 and 10% of $10,000 respectively. 

Al Batin posted bail the following day, and Hickmond posted bail on April 27.

Court records show charges of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, knowledge that property is proceeds of illegal act, and conspiracy to possess a firearm with an altered serial number were withdrawn on May 10 in exchange for both suspects waiving their preliminary hearing. All other charges were held for formal arraignment, though Hickmond had an additional charge of firearm not to be carried without a license withdrawn.

The next court appearance for Al Batin and Hickmond is a formal arraignment on June 26 at 1:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.