FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 17, 2012
HUNTINGTON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON FEDERAL OXYCODONE CHARGE
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Joseph Henry Harmic, 33, of Huntington was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. The defendant previously pleaded guilty in October 2011. Harmic admitted that on April 19, 2011, he was recruited by an associate to pick up known individuals at the Huntington Greyhound bus station. Harmic further admitted that he knew it was probable that the individuals that he was due to pick up from the bus station would be in possession of controlled substances.
Harmic admitted that on April 20, 2011, he drove to the Greyhound station and picked up an adult, who was accompanied by a juvenile at the time. The known individual and juvenile had been occupants on a bus traveling from Detroit to Huntington. After Harmic picked up the two individuals from the bus station, an officer with the Huntington Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle. The defendant’s passenger admitted that she had controlled substances in her purse. A subsequent search of the purse revealed approximately 600 30-milligram oxycodone tablets and 90 40-milligram oxymorphone tablets. Harmic waived his Miranda rights and agreed to be interviewed by police. Harmic admitted that he distributed small quantities of oxycodone over several months prior to April 2011.
The Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks handled the prosecution.
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