FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2012
HUNTINGTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CRACK DISTRIBUTION CHARGES
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Lamont Lee Miller Jr., 23, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today in federal court to five counts of distribution of crack cocaine. Miller admitted that on five separate occasions between June 24, 2010 and August 20, 2010, he entered the Smokin’ Aces store that was located in Huntington and subsequently sold crack cocaine to an undercover agent working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
During a separate plea hearing held in December, Miller admitted that between June 16, 2010 and November 2, 2010, he and an associate sold at least 18 firearms but no more than 20 firearms to undercover ATF agents at the Smokin’ Aces store. On March 16, 2010, Miller was indicted by a grand jury in the Circuit Court of Cabell County, W.Va. for felony malicious wounding. The defendant was arraigned on March 30, 2010 in Cabell County Circuit Court and knew that he was under indictment and therefore was prohibited from receiving firearms.
Miller faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on September 4, 2012 by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration and the Huntington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William King is handling 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 2011 after a grand jury returned indictments against 55 defendants.
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