Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Casino Cocaine, Gun Crimes

Charleston man Michael A. Parker, 37, admitted to stashing cocaine, a loaded .380 pistol, and over $14,000 in cash inside his double-parked car at Mardi Gras Casino in Nitro—then fleeing twice into the woods as police closed in. Parker pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of July 28, 2018, when casino security spotted Parker’s illegally parked vehicle and a gun on the floorboard. When officers arrived to address the parking violation, Parker agreed to meet them outside—then slipped away through a back exit and vanished into nearby woods. Security staff tracked his movements via surveillance cameras and relayed real-time updates to responding Nitro Police.

After being located, Parker returned to his car and unlocked it. Officers recovered a Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol with 11 rounds and an extended magazine. But as they secured the weapon, they spotted a large quantity of cocaine and a stack of cash—$14,225.87—on display inside the vehicle. Parker bolted again, prompting a second pursuit that ended only when a K9 unit apprehended him in the brush.

Police seized a large bag of cocaine, five smaller bags of the drug, a bag of marijuana, the firearm, and the full cash amount. Forensic analysis by the West Virginia State Police confirmed the substances as controlled narcotics. The ATF determined the pistol had crossed state lines prior to recovery, satisfying federal jurisdiction.

Parker is no stranger to federal prison. In 2004, he was convicted on federal charges of distributing cocaine base and possession with intent to deliver cocaine. As a prior felon, he remains prohibited from possessing firearms and has not had his rights restored. U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart made no attempt to hide his disdain: “Cocaine, a firearm, lots of cash and running from police… Parker evidently didn’t learn anything from his previous federal drug conviction.”

Parker now faces up to 30 years in federal prison. He is scheduled for sentencing on August 8, 2019, before Senior U.S. District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik S. Goes and Kristin Scott are prosecuting the case. Parker has agreed to forfeit both the firearm and the $14,225.87 recovered at the scene. The investigation was led by the Nitro Police Department with support from ATF, MDENT, the state forensic lab, and casino security.

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