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Press Release

Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Gun and Drug Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Zanesville, Ohio man who possessed methamphetamine and a firearm in Huntington in 2017 was sentenced today to 137 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Rico Rodriquez Allen, 43, previously pled guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Stuart credited the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and the Huntington Police Department. 

“As I’ve said before, when we identify violent Ohio drug dealers in our cities, we will prosecute them and, if convicted, seek to lock them up for as long as possible,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Allen will now be spending over 11 years in federal prison.”

On September 16, 2017, HPD officers were dispatched to a man slumped over his steering wheel in a private driveway in Huntington.  When officers arrived, Allen refused to exit the vehicle.  As Allen was being removed from the vehicle, a Glock 22 pistol fell from underneath Allen.  Officers then obtained a search warrant for the vehicle.  Officers recovered approximately 162 grams of methamphetamine from a void in the center console.  Officers also recovered approximately 100 baggies, four telephones, and a bullet proof vest.  

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor prosecuted the case.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. 

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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Updated November 7, 2018

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses
Project Safe Neighborhoods