Charleston Methamphetamine Dealers Enter Federal Guilty Plea

Dealers busted with two pounds of pure meth and more than $40,000 cash

Charleston, W.Va. – Richard Milton Hudson Riggal, 44, of Zephyrhills, Florida and Howard Leon Lykins, II, 49, of Charleston, West Virginia pleaded guilty today to methamphetamine trafficking charges before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. 

On July 2, 2013 detectives from the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) searched Lykins’ Stone Acres Drive residence. Riggall was present at the residence when officers arrived.  Officers found methamphetamine, digital scales, two firearms, and $41,490.00 in cash in Riggall’s luggage.  Police seized additional methamphetamine, firearms, and money from the house.

Police executed a second search warrant at another Kanawha County residence associated with the conspiracy, where they seized more than 900 grams of high-purity “Ice” methamphetamine .  Riggall admitted he had brought the Ice from Florida to West Virginia to sell.

Riggall pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Lykins pleaded guilty to maintaining a residence for drug purposes.

Both men face up to 20 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on April 29, 2014.

MDENT and the DEA Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.