Ohio man admits to methamphetamine and firearms charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – John Palmer, of Lore City, Ohio, has admitted to drug and firearms charge, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Palmer, 57, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm as a Felon.” Palmer, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior conviction, admitted to having methamphetamine and two pistols in February 2018 in Harrison County.

Palmer faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the drug charge and faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided. 

Related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/ohio-and-west-virginia-residents-indicted-drug-and-firearms-charges