South Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A man from South Charleston, West Virginia, pled guilty to a federal drug trafficking offense today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Willie James Coleman, 55, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack,” before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“As I’ve said, crack is back,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Fentanyl dealers, heroin dealers, meth dealers, crack dealers. We prosecute all drug dealers.  We’re tough on all drug dealers.”

Police investigators used a confidential informant to accomplish three undercover purchases of cocaine base from Coleman on December 17, 2018; January 9, 2019; and January 18, 2019.  On January 31, 2019, Coleman was driving south on Interstate 77 in Jackson County, West Virginia, returning to his house in South Charleston after purchasing approximately four ounces of cocaine from his supplier in Cleveland, Ohio.  Investigators stopped Coleman’s vehicle after he almost struck another vehicle on the interstate.  Coleman’s passenger gave up the cocaine to investigators.

Investigators then executed a search warrant at Coleman’s house and recovered a stash of several grams of cocaine base in a safe and items used for manufacturing cocaine base out of cocaine powder.  Investigators also found a gun under a pillow on Coleman’s bed.

Coleman faces up to 30 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 20, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.

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