Bobby James Mitchell, Heroin Distribution, West Virginia 2016

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – In a shocking turn of events, two men have pleaded guilty to federal heroin crimes in West Virginia. Bobby James Mitchell, 35, of Huntington, entered his guilty plea to distribution of heroin, while Antoine Garfield Rushin, 44, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute heroin.

According to court documents, Mitchell was involved in a controlled purchase of heroin from a confidential informant on March 16, 2016. The informant provided Mitchell with $500 in exchange for approximately 6.1 grams of heroin. Mitchell faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 21, 2017.

In a separate prosecution, law enforcement executed a search warrant on June 29, 2015, at 1751 Buffington Avenue in Huntington. Just prior to execution of the warrant, officers observed Rushin enter the residence. During the search, Rushin and other individuals in the residence were arrested and officers seized approximately 65 grams of heroin and digital scales. Rushin admitted that he frequently provided heroin to individuals staying at the residence for those individuals to distribute.

Rushin faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 21, 2017. The investigation of Mitchell was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, while the investigation of Rushin was conducted by the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is handling the Mitchell prosecution, while Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is responsible for the prosecution of Rushin. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearings.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.

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