Source: Montgomery County District Court.
Police in Abington Township have filed criminal charges against an 18-year-old resident following a firearms investigation connected to ongoing conflicts between two rival groups operating in the community, according to police.
Jackson Hughes, 18, is facing a felony charge stemming from the incident.
According to a police criminal complaint filed Feb. 20, 2026, investigators allege that Hughes, 18, of the Roslyn section of the township, illegally carried a concealed firearm and possessed multiple weapons recovered during a court-authorized search of his home.
Source: Montgomery County District Court
Authorities said that beginning in 2021, the Abington Township Police Department identified two rival groups known as Young Sliders (YS) and Young Riskers (YR), primarily consisting of males ages 14 to 23.
Police reported identifying members through school resource officers, social media monitoring, rap videos, community complaints and criminal investigations.
Over the past five years, investigators say individuals associated with the groups have been linked to fights, targeted assaults, robberies, burglaries, vehicle thefts, arsons, weapons offenses and drug violations. Several members have been arrested on firearms charges, and police said at least two individuals associated with Young Sliders have died in shootings.
Source: Montgomery County District Court
The complaint outlines several incidents involving Hughes and firearms.
On May 3, 2025, officers responded to a disturbance at a pre-prom party on the 1600 block of Franklin Avenue. Witnesses reported that uninvited individuals arrived and caused a disruption, with one person allegedly gesturing as if he had a firearm inside a backpack. Police identified Hughes among a group they say were members of Young Sliders.
In a separate incident on June 24, 2025, Pennsylvania State Police conducted a traffic stop involving Hughes and others. Authorities reported recovering an AR-style pistol and at least two additional firearms from the vehicle.
Police said they began monitoring social media activity due to repeated violent incidents between the rival groups. Investigators allege Hughes posted multiple photos and videos showing himself with firearms over the past year.
On Jan. 29, 2026, officers observed a video posted to Instagram that allegedly showed Hughes driving while holding an AR-style pistol equipped with a brass catcher device. Investigators determined the video was recorded near the intersection of Phipps and Coolidge avenues, approximately 200 feet from Hughes’ residence.
A second social media post on Feb. 20, 2026 allegedly showed the same firearm inside a bedroom of the Coolidge Avenue home, investigators said.
Based on the investigation, police obtained a search warrant approved by a Montgomery County judge and executed it the evening of Feb. 20 at Hughes’ residence.
According to the complaint, officers recovered:
Police allege the AR-style pistol matched the firearm seen in the January social media video.
Investigators concluded Hughes concealed and carried a firearm without a permit. While police state Hughes is legally allowed to possess a firearm, he is not eligible for a concealed carry permit because he is 18 years old under Pennsylvania law.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge John D. Kessler.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
