Michigan man admits to drug and firearms charge

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Alante Martel Nelson, of Detroit, Michigan, has admitted to drug and firearms charges, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Nelson, 29, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Nelson admitted to having heroin in August 2020 in Monongalia County. Nelson, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, also admitted to having a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

Nelson faces up to 30 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000 for the drug charge and faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms charge. 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Morgantown Police Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.