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R. Booth Goodwin II, United States Attorney
Southern District of West Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Melvin Smith
July 11, 2011 melvin.smith@usdoj.gov
CHARLESTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Antonio Jeffries, 22, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. On May 3, 2011, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle near Sissonville, West Virginia. Jeffries was a passenger in the vehicle at the time. During the course of the traffic stop, officers called for a K-9 unit to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle. Upon arrival of the K-9, the defendant fled on foot from the officers. Jeffries admitted that he threw crack cocaine from his pockets while fleeing from law enforcement. Jeffries was eventually apprehended and the crack cocaine that he attempted to discard was recovered. An exterior search of the vehicle by the K-9 unit detected the presence of drugs, prompting officers to further search the vehicle. The subsequent search by officers revealed approximately 469 grams of crack cocaine in the vehicle’s console.
Jeffries face up to life in prison and a $10 million fine when he is sentenced on October 6, 2011.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Assistant United States Attorney Monica Dillon is in charge of the prosecution.
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