FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 21, 2011
HUNTINGTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL DRUG CHARGE
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – James Meeks, 33, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today in federal court before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing heroin. On June 16, 2011, members of the Huntington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted a controlled buy of heroin from the defendant’s Huntington residence utilizing a confidential informant. Meeks admitted that at the time, he allowed his residence to be used by a known individual to distribute controlled substances including but not limited to heroin. The defendant further admitted that he allowed an associate to stay at his residence for the purpose of distributing heroin and other controlled substances and knowingly made his residence available to the associate for distributing and storing controlled substances. Following the controlled buy on June 16, 2011, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the defendant’s residence. Among the items recovered from the residence included distribution amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and oxycodone pills. Officers also recovered cash from inside the residence and digital scales.
Meeks faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on February 21, 2012.
The investigation was conducted by the Huntington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Monica Dillon is in charge of the prosecution.
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