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Department of Justice United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, October 9, 2009 |
CONTACT: Brian McGinn PHONE: 540-857-2974 FAX: 540-857-2179 EMAIL: Brian.McGinn@usdoj.gov www.usdoj.gov/usao/vaw |
FOUR INDICTED IN MULTI-STATE TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY
Group Accused of Trafficking Oxycodone
ABINGDON, VIRGINIA -- Four men from three different states were indicted yesterday on federal drug trafficking charges in relation to a conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone.
The grand jury has charged James Curtis Hylton a.k.a. “Geesh”, 65, of Richlands, Va., Lawrence Allen Rife a.k.a. “Big Al” a.k.a. “Carbo”, 52, of Richlands, Va., John Arthur Weatherman, 33, of King, N.C. and James Norman Miller, 55, of Harriman, Tenn. with charges related to a drug distribution organization.
Hylton was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of oxycodone and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Rife, Weatherman and Miller were all charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of Oxycodone.
Each defendant faces a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000 for each conspiracy count.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Richlands Police Department, the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police. Special Assistant United States Attorney Dennis Lee will prosecute the case.
A Grand Jury indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.