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Detroit Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty

U.S. Attorney’s Office September 21, 2010
  • Southern District of West Virginia (304) 345-2200

HUNTINGTON, WV—Darrell S. Reed, 25, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base. Reed, who is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, 2010, faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

The conviction stems from a joint, federal investigation into drug trafficking in and around the Huntington, West Virginia area. In May 2010, agents executed a search warrant at a Huntington residence. The search yielded approximately 40 grams of crack cocaine and a firearm. Reed, who was present at the time of the search, admitted ownership of the drugs and firearm. Reed further admitted to distributing over 780 grams of crack cocaine in the Huntington area over the previous seven months.

The Huntington Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Huntington Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Adams is handling the prosecution.

This case is being brought as part of Weed & Seed. In 1991, the Department of Justice established Weed & Seed which is administered by the Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO). Weed & Seed utilizes a community-based, multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention and neighborhood restoration to better control violent crime, drug trafficking and drug-related crime in designated high-crime neighborhoods and to provide a safe environment for residents. The Fairfield area in the City of Huntington is a Weed & Seed Community (WSC). For more information about cases and related activities please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/wvs/ or http://www.htngweedandseed.com/index.html and http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ccdo/ws/welcome.html.

Also in Huntington yesterday, Antonio J. Whitehead, 23, of Macon, Georgia, pleaded guilty before Judge Chambers to conspiracy to distribute five or more grams of cocaine base. According to court documents, from February 2005, to at least June 2009, Whitehead participated in a drug conspiracy with Charles Anthony Williams, Nekoase Antwan Vinson, Thomaas Antonio Redding, and Kenneth E. Pertillo. During this time, Whitehead pooled his money with the others to resupply the group with cocaine base for distribution in the Huntington area. Whitehead also sold cocaine base and shared in profits from the drug conspiracy. Whitehead faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine when he is sentenced on December 20, 2010.

Others previously sentenced for their roles in the drug conspiracy include: Williams—136 months in prison; Vinson—168 months in prison; and Redding—69 months in prison. Pertillo is scheduled to stand trial on October 13, 2010.

The investigation was conducted by the Huntington Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Huntington Police Department, West Virginia State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lawrence County (Ohio) Drug Task Force, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Cocaine Base

CHARLESTON, WV—Lawrence Matthew Garner, 29, of Lancaster, Ohio, pleaded guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston to distribution of cocaine base. Garner, who is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2011, faces up to 30 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

The conviction stems from a joint investigation lead by the Parkersburg Violent Crimes and Narcotics Task Force. On January 23, 2010, a confidential informant working with task force agents, purchased a quantity of crack cocaine from Garner. Based on his prior felony drug trafficking conviction, Garner is subject to enhanced penalties.

The Washington County (Ohio) Major Crimes Task Force, West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory, and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation Laboratory assisted in the investigation.

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