September 8, 2015

Detroit Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin

HUNTINGTON, WV—A Detroit man who participated in a heroin distribution conspiracy between 2013 and 2015 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Sean L. Gist, 21, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Huntington to conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

From at least December of 2013 to January of 2015, Gist participated in a conspiracy that transported heroin from Detroit to Huntington for distribution. Once in Huntington, Gist provided heroin to others for distribution from multiple residences in Huntington. Gist also distributed heroin himself and arranged the sale of heroin to a confidential informant on January 28, 2015. Gist admitted during the plea hearing that he possessed a firearm in connection with the conspiracy.

Multiple others have been convicted for their respective roles in the conspiracy including Paul A. Roberts, who pleaded guilty to maintaining a residence for the distribution of heroin in March 2015, Ramone L. Wells, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin in June 2015, Pricilla Lee Dylan, who pleaded guilty to maintaining a residence for the distribution of heroin in August 2015, Dustin S. Barton, who pleaded guilty to distributing heroin in August 2015, Kenneth E. Baxter, who pleaded guilty to distributing heroin in August 2015, and Coty S. Richardson, who pleaded guilty to attempting to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin in August 2015, Gist faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 14, 2015.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, United States Postal Service, West Virginia State Police and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted 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.