Federal Jury Convicts Bluefield Man On Multiple Crack Cocaine Charges

Seized drugs exceed $250,000 street value -- largest ever for Southern Regional Drug Task Force

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin today announced that a Mercer County man was convicted by a federal jury sitting in Bluefield on federal drug and firearm possession charges.  Brady Woods, 37, of Bluefield, W.Va., was found guilty on all counts of a five-count indictment: two counts of distributing crack cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

Evidence at trial proved that on January 31, 2011, the Woods sold crack cocaine near Bluefield.  Trial evidence also revealed that in February 2011, Woods sold crack cocaine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The illegal drug transaction took place near Bluefield.  Woods was also convicted of possessing a .44 caliber firearm in relation to a drug crime.   

The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force seized more than three pounds of crack cocaine as a result of this investigation.  The drug seizure marks the largest of its kind that the Southern Regional Task Force has recorded.  The illegal drugs seized by law enforcement have an estimated street value that exceeds $250,000.    

Woods faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced on August 26, 2013 by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

The West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Haley Bunn and Miller Bushong handled the prosecution. 

This case was 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.