Felon With Loaded Firearms And Heroin Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A felon who possessed loaded firearms and heroin at his Huntington residence pleaded guilty today to federal charges, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Obadiah Pacely, 45, of Huntington, sold heroin to a confidential informant working in cooperation with law enforcement on February 25, 2013.  Following the heroin transaction, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on Pacely’s Huntington residence.  During the execution of the search warrant, Pacely fled the residence.  The defendant was apprehended a short time later by police.  A law enforcement search of Pacely’s residence revealed a loaded pistol, a loaded revolver, one .22 caliber rifle and heroin located in the defendant’s bedroom. 

Pacely was previously convicted in November 1987 in the 31st Circuit Court, St. Clair County, Michigan of felony delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance.  Pacely was also previously convicted in January 2001 in the Court of Common Pleas, Lorain County, Ohio of felony grand theft of an automobile.  He did not have his rights to possess a firearm restored. 

Pacely faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on August 26, 2013 by Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. 

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Huntington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution. 

The matter is being 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.