HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two men pleaded guilty today to federal drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Bobby James Mitchell, 35, of Huntington, entered his guilty plea to distribution of heroin. In a separate prosecution, Antoine Garfield Rushin, 44, of Detroit, entered his guilty plea to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute heroin.
On March 16, 2016, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Mitchell. Mitchell and a confidential informant working with law enforcement met at 1039 Rear Jefferson Avenue in Huntington to complete the drug deal. The confidential informant provided Mitchell with $500 in exchange for approximately 6.1 grams of heroin. Mitchell faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 21, 2017.
In a separate prosecution, law enforcement executed a search warrant on June 29, 2015, at 1751 Buffington Avenue in Huntington. Just prior to execution of the warrant, officers observed Rushin enter the residence. During the search, Rushin and other individuals in the residence were arrested and officers seized approximately 65 grams of heroin and digital scales. Rushin admitted that he frequently provided heroin to individuals staying at the residence for those individuals to distribute. Rushin faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 21, 2017.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force conducted the investigation of Mitchell. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is handling the Mitchell prosecution. The investigation of Rushin was conducted by the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is responsible for the prosecution of Rushin. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearings.
These prosecutions 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 the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. 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 opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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