FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 11, 2011
CABELL COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON ILLEGAL FIREARM POSSESSION AND OXYCODONE CHARGES
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Drew Allen Paugh, 27, of LeSage, Cabell County, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers for illegal possession of a firearm by a drug addict and distribution of oxycodone. Paugh pleaded guilty in June. The defendant admitted that on July 27, 2010, he arrived at the Smokin’ Aces store that was located in Huntington and agreed to arrange a drug transaction of 100 80-milligram oxycodone tablets with an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The defendant further admitted to making a telephone call to an associate, who a short time later, arrived at the same location to complete the transaction. Prior to the pill transaction, Paugh admitted to taking one of the pills from his associate. The associate subsequently sold the remaining 99 oxycodone pills to an undercover ATF agent in exchange for $4059.
Also, on September 2, 2010, the defendant contacted an undercover ATF agent and stated that he had a revolver for sale. Paugh admitted to selling a .38 caliber revolver to a law enforcement agent in exchange for $75. At the time the defendant sold the firearm, he was an unlawful user of and addicted to controlled substances. Paugh also admitted to participating in 20 additional drug transactions at the Smokin’ Aces store between May and September 2010. The drugs sold included amounts of oxycodone pills, crack cocaine, and heroin.
This case was 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.
This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey handled the prosecution.
# # #
