HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Zanesville, Ohio man, Rico Rodriquez Allen, 43, has been caught and charged with drug and gun crimes in connection with a 2017 investigation in Huntington, West Virginia. According to the indictment, Allen possessed methamphetamine and a firearm in Huntington on September 16, 2017.
Allen pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of the Huntington Police Department in this case.
‘Yet another armed, out-of-state drug dealer caught peddling poisons in Huntington,’ said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. ‘And yet another armed, out-of-state drug dealer that my office has prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It will be a long time before Allen has a chance to step foot in Huntington again.’
The investigation began when an officer with the Huntington Police Department was dispatched to a 911 call of a man slumped over his steering wheel on a private driveway in Huntington. When officers arrived, Allen refused to exit the vehicle. As Allen was removed from the vehicle, a Glock 22 pistol fell from underneath Allen. Officers then obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, recovering approximately 162 grams of methamphetamine from a void in the center console, as well as 100 baggies, two digital scales, and four telephones.
Allen faces not less than 5 years nor more than 40 years in federal prison for the drug charge, and a mandatory minimum consecutive term of at least 5 years in federal prison for the gun charge, when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers on September 17, 2018. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is responsible for the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer. PSN was reinvigorated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals.
United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of the Huntington Police Department in this case, saying that Allen will face justice for his crimes.
Allen’s sentencing is set for September 17, 2018, by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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