Harrison County man admits to drug distribution and firearm charges

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – James Bailey, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, has admitted to drug distribution and firearm charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Bailey, age 34, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine,” one count of “Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Offense.” Bailey admitted to selling methamphetamine and being in possession of a firearm during the drug offense in Harrison County in January 2018. 

Bailey faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the first count and faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the second count. 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.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Greater Harrison County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.