R. Booth Goodwin II, United States Attorney
Southern District of West Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Melvin Smith
June 23, 2011 melvin.smith@usdoj.gov
COLUMBUS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CRACK COCAINE CHARGE
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Dominick Curtis Gray, 26, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Gray admitted that on October 6, 2010, he entered the Smokin’ Aces store that was located in Huntington to complete a drug transaction that was prearranged between his associate and an undercover agent working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Gray further admitted that he provided the undercover agent with two large cellophane bags containing crack cocaine weighing approximately 50 grams in exchange for $2800.
Gray faces up to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine when he is sentenced on September 26, 2011.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of a yearlong undercover operation that targeted illegal drugs and firearms crimes in the Huntington area. The operation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and assisted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Huntington Police Department, and various other law enforcement agencies. It was announced to the public in March after a grand jury returned indictments against 55 defendants.
# # #
