Beckley Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun Crimes

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley convicted felon pled guilty today to federal drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Anthony Harvey, 42, of Beckley, West Virginia, entered his guilty plea to distributing a quantity of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley Police Department.

“Recidivism is a real problem,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “With two previous felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing guns, Harvey continues to break the law -- by possessing firearms and selling methamphetamine.  Now he faces significant time behind bars.” 

On June 14, 2016, Harvey sold a quantity of methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Beckley Police Department.  On August 16, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Harvey’s home.  At that time Harvey was a twice convicted felon and was in possession of firearms.  Specifically, Harvey possessed a Davis Industries, Model DM-22, .22 caliber pistol and a F.I.E. Model Titan, .25 caliber revolver.  Harvey was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of two prior convictions, one for assault with a firearm in California in 1995, and the other was the sale of marijuana in California in 2004.  

Harvey faces up to 30 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 3, 2018.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the plea hearing.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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