R. Booth Goodwin II, United States Attorney
Southern District of West Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Melvin Smith
June 3, 2011 melvin.smith@usdoj.gov
LOGAN COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES
CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Michael Dehart, 30, of Chapmanville, Logan County, West Virginia was sentenced to 33 months in prison today by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. for possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine. Dehart admitted that on three different occasions in April 2009, he sold cocaine to a confidential informant working with the US 119 Task Force. Dehart further admitted that each of the drug transactions took place at his Chapmanville residence. On June 11, 2009, US 119 Task Force agents arrived at the defendant’s residence and arrested him for the controlled buys that had occurred on April 7, April 20, and April 22, 2009. At the time of the arrest, agents observed what appeared to be bags of cocaine on a coffee table inside of the defendant’s residence.
Dehart was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to answer agents’ questions, admitting there was additional cocaine in a safe in his bedroom. Agents subsequently seized $600 in U.S. currency and approximately 212.34 grams of cocaine from the defendant’s safe. Also seized from the residence was a set a digital scales and two loaded Smith and Wesson handguns.
The US 119 Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John Frail handled the prosecution.
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