Charleston Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun Crimes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston felon pled guilty to a federal drug and gun crimes today,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Deshaun Thaxton, 24, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

“A felon with 360 grams of meth and loaded machine guns,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Drug dealers like Thaxton pose extreme danger to our communities and law enforcement.  We are working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute gun-toting poison peddlers to put them behind bars,”

Thaxton admitted that he sold methamphetamine on three separate occasions in March and April 2019 to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. On April 5, 2019, officers executed a search warrant at Thaxton’s Dunbar residence and located approximately 360 grams of methamphetamine. Officers also located a CAI Georgiavt AK-47 with a loaded 30 round magazine, an Anderson Manufacturing AR-15 with a loaded 90 round drum, and a Bushmaster AR-15 with a loaded 30 round magazine. Thaxton admitted that he possessed the firearms to protect himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds. He further admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because he is a convicted felon.

Thaxton faces up to life in prison when sentenced on January 23, 2020.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is handling the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
 

 
###