Five Convicted On Federal Drug Charges

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ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Five individuals entered pleas of guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull on drug-related charges.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that Chad Edward CUTRIGHT, age 28, and Natusha Jewell BIGGINS, age 25, of Montrose, West Virginia, entered pleas of guilty to “Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine.” CUTRIGHT and BIGGINS each face up to 20 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner and investigated by the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police.

Ihlenfeld also announced that Lennox BUCKLEY, age 39, of Morgantown, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of more than 50 kilograms of Marijuana” As part of the plea, BUCKLEY will forfeit a 2002 Lexus ES 300 and $7,011 which constitutes proceeds from the illegal activity. The United States also intends to seek a $70,000 money judgment. BUCKLEY faces up to 20 years in prison.

Melvin SANDERS, age 56, formerly of New York, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.” SANDERS faces up to 20 years in prison.

The BUCKLEY and SANDERS cases were investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals Service.

Beth Ann BROWN, age 36, of French Creek, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.” BROWN faces up to five years in prison. This case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The BUCKLEY, SANDERS and BROWN cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar.