FROM THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA

 

Three West Virginia residents have admitted to their roles in a meth distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

 

Casey Jo Richards, age 28, of Bridgeport pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Richards admitted to distributing crystal meth in April 2017 in Harrison County.

 

Jerry Lee Stewart, Jr., 28, of Weston, West Virginia, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “Carrying a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime.” Stewart admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in Upshur County and elsewhere from March 2016 to September 2017. He also admitted to possessing a 9mm caliber pistol and a .22 caliber pistol while committing a drug trafficking crime in April 2017 in Lewis County.

 

Reggie Joe McLain, age 38, of Buckhannon, West Virginia pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.” McLain admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in Upshur County and elsewhere from March 2016 to September 2017.

 

Stewart and McLain each face up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000 for the conspiracy count. Stewart also faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms count. Richards faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department are investigating. 

 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.