Hurricane Man Pleads Guilty to Drug, Firearm Charges; Plea Agreement Includes Recommended 144-Month Sentence

            ST. GEORGE, UT - A Feb. 3, 2015, sentencing date has been set for Chad Eugene Devaughn, age 42, of Hurricane, Utah, after he entered guilty pleas to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense in federal court in St. George earlier this week.  Devaughn was charged in a Felony Information filed Oct. 28, 2014.

            The plea agreement includes a stipulated sentence of 144 months, which is subject to court approval.  As a part of the plea agreement, Devaughn also agreed to forfeit property acquired from or traceable to his criminal offenses and any property that was used to facilitate his criminal conduct, including $4,500 in currency; eight firearms; and magazines and ammunition in various calibers seized with the firearms. Several of the firearms were confirmed stolen, federal prosecutors said.

            U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart will impose a sentence in the case at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 3, 2015, in federal court in St. George.

            As a part of the plea agreement, Devaughn stipulated that on about Aug. 26, 2014, he possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Washington County Drug Task Force officers and agents executing a search warrant at his residence recovered approximately 220 grams of methamphetamine.  He also admitted that he possessed firearms, including a Kel Tec 9mm caliber handgun, in furtherance of the drug trafficking offense. Law enforcement officers recovered the firearms and methamphetamine from his residence.