A former Montgomery County man was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, September 9, 2024, following his conviction for kidnapping, robbing and killing Matthew James Branning, a Sellersville man who went missing in October 2021 after leaving his job in Silverdale Borough.

Michael Allen Stark, 50, of Royersford, was found guilty by a Bucks County jury of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping, theft by unlawful taking, flight to avoid apprehension, and abuse of a corpse.

The verdict was reached quickly and came on the fifth day of the trial where Bucks County prosecutors presented testimony and evidence that showed Stark killed Branning, his co-worker at Enchlor Inc., in Silverdale.

Following the verdict, Common Pleas Judge Stephen A. Corr sentenced Stark, who he called a career criminal with “very little regard for the community” and “very little regard for the rule of law.”

Stark was sentenced to life without parole on the murder convictions, and a consecutive sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison on the robbery and kidnapping charges. Corr also ordered him to pay $6,291.23 in restitution to the victim’s compensation program.  

“I am so proud of this team for getting justice for Matthew Branning and his lovely family,” said District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, who was in the packed courtroom as the verdict was delivered. “Now we can rest assured that this violent predator will never harm another individual again.”

During the sentencing phase, Chief Deputy District Attorney Matt Lannetti read impact statements from Branning’s family, who described him as a hard-working, joyful and gentle person who would help anyone, including his co-worker Stark, who was struggling at the job.

His sister said Branning was “a light in our family, and when Michael Stark extinguished that light, he left a hole in our hearts that can never be replaced.”

Earlier Monday, Deputy District Attorney Jovin Jose detailed in his closing statements the complex and unyielding investigation, conducted by Bucks County Detectives, led by retired Detective David Hanks, and the Perkasie Borough Police Department, led by Detective Travis Schoonover.

Their investigation found that Stark kidnapped Branning at the end of his work shift on Oct. 15, 2021, forced him to withdraw money from a nearby ATM, and then fled into New Jersey in the victim’s Lexus SUV.

At some point during the encounter, Stark killed Branning and disposed of his body.

Branning’s Lexus was located in an apartment complex parking lot in Falls Church, Virginia, in December 2021. The SUV had a flat tire and a missing license plate. Inside, detectives found crack cocaine vials, Branning's driver’s license and credit cards. 

DNA on the steering wheel matched a sample from Stark. 

Branning’s body was found in November 2021 in a wet, swampy gully in Reisterstown, Maryland, but he was not positively identified until May 2023. He was wearing the remains of a black T-shirt and white shorts, which were the same clothes he was wearing the day he disappeared.

Stark was arrested in April 2022 in Wayne County, Michigan, for a warrant out of Monroe County, Pennsylvania. He was extradited back to Pennsylvania three months later.

This investigation was led by Detectives with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Perkasie Police Department and was aided by the Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Fairfax Virginia Law Enforcement Authorities, the Wayne County Michigan Law Enforcement Authorities, and tips from the public.

This case was prosecuted to Chief Deputy District Attorney Matt Lannetti and Deputy District Attorney Jovin Jose.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org