Pendleton County man indicted on methamphetamine and firearms charges

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Cody Alan Grapes, of Riverton, West Virginia, is facing drug and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Grapes, 31, was indicted on one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine,” one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime.” Grapes, who was previously convicted of a felony and prohibited from having a gun, is accused of having methamphetamine and a 5.56 mm rifle n November 2019 in Grant County.

Grapes faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the drug charge. He faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the unlawful possession charge. Grapes faces at least five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.