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February 10, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Morgantown Resident Entered Guilty Pleas
to Drug and Firearm Violations

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 43 year old Morgantown, West Virginia, resident entered pleas of guilty on February 8, 2010, in United States District Court in Clarksburg before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.

Acting United States Attorney Betsy C. Jividen announced that WILBUR HIGGINBOTHAM entered guilty pleas to two counts of an Indictment charging him with distributing heroin on August 20, 2009, in Monongalia County; and unlawfully possessing firearms on September 4, 2009, after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

HIGGINBOTHAM, who is currently free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 on the drug charge; and a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on the firearms charge.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley. The case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.