Lincoln County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug and Gun Charges

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Lincoln County man caught with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and a firearm in January 2018 was sentenced yesterday to 78 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Chad Anthony Wilson, 27, of West Hamlin, previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Hurricane Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Fentanyl.  Meth.  Firearm.  Dangerous and deadly,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “If you are a drug dealer like Wilson, look over your shoulder, our law enforcement partners will find you.  And if you are carrying a firearm during your drug crimes, expect significant prison time.”

Wilson admitted that late at night on January 8, 2018, he was sitting in his Chevy Impala, which was parked across all the dividers in the parking lot of American Inn in Hurricane. A Hurricane police officer approached the car, introduced himself, and saw a bag containing a crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine in the center console of the vehicle. When the officer asked if there were any weapons in the car, Wilson told the officer that he had a gun in the passenger seat, though he refused to hand over the weapon. A backup officer arrived shortly after and secured the gun, later identified as a Taurus, Millennium PT111, 9mm pistol.

Once the weapon was secure, officers asked Wilson if there were any more weapons or narcotics in the vehicle. Wilson told the officer about the bag in the center console. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered that bag of suspected methamphetamine, as well as another bag containing 18.57 grams of a substance that was analyzed by a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory and confirmed to be fentanyl.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

###