CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Multiple defendants appeared in federal court today on drug charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.
Kevin Brown, 32, of Huber Heights, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to possession of heroin with intent to distribute. On June 29, 2015, an officer with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted a traffic stop on a rental vehicle Brown was driving. Brown gave a false name and false identification to the officer, but consented to a search of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, the officer found heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, along with empty capsules and a Magic Bullet mixer which had been used to process heroin for distribution. Brown faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 1, 2016.
Alisha Watts, 36, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to maintaining a drug-involved premises. On March 18, 2015, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team executed a search warrant at 1210 Stonebrook Road in Charleston. Upon entering the residence, officers found Watts asleep in the bedroom. Watts admitted to being the occupant of the residence. Beside the bed, officers found a loaded handgun, over 600 grams of suspected methamphetamine in the kitchen cabinets, and over 100 pounds of suspected marijuana packaged in one-pound blocks throughout the residence. Additionally, officers located approximately $34,000 cash. Watts admitted that the drugs were being stored at her residence and were intended for distribution by another individual. Watts faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on August 17, 2016.
Lawrence Watson, 22, of Detroit, was sentenced to credit for time served for distribution of heroin. Watson previously pleaded guilty in January 2016 and admitted that on June 12, 2014, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place at a residence on Elaine Drive in Rand. After the drug deal, officers executed a search warrant on the residence and found Watson in the house. During the search, officers discovered additional heroin and recovered the money used in the controlled drug purchase from Watson’s pocket.
The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigations of Brown, Watts, and Watson.
Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is responsible for the prosecution of Brown. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over Brown’s plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is handling the prosecution of Watts. The plea hearing for Watts was held before United States District John T. Copenhaver, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is in charge of the prosecution of Watson. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed Watson’s sentence.
These cases were brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat illegal drugs in our communities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of heroin and other drugs in communities across the Southern District.
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