Kentucky Courier Gets 51 Months for Heroin & Coke Run

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Leroy “B.K.” Wilson, a 33-year-old from Lexington, Kentucky, is trading freedom for a federal cell after being sentenced to 51 months behind bars. United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced the sentence today, closing a chapter on a multi-year drug conspiracy that funneled cocaine and heroin into the streets of Huntington.

Wilson pleaded guilty in November 2014 to conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. The feds laid out a case showing Wilson wasn’t just a bystander, but a key cog in a distribution network operating between 2010 and 2014. He acted as a courier, hauling narcotics from Lexington directly to Kenneth Newman in Huntington. This wasn’t a one-off deal; it was a sustained operation designed to profit from addiction.

The specifics are ugly. On January 8, 2014, Wilson drove from Huntington to Lexington armed with almost $7,000 in cash – Newman’s money for a cocaine purchase. He met with Mark Silverburg, who loaded a brown paper bag into Wilson’s trunk. Back in Huntington, Newman opened the bag to find two plastic bags packed with cocaine. A simple transaction, but one that fueled a dangerous trade.

The arrangement wasn’t limited to drug runs. Wilson also performed construction work on rental properties owned by George Newman. The payment? Not in legal tender, but in cash and heroin. Even more disturbingly, Newman allegedly instructed Wilson to pay those working for him – with heroin. This demonstrates a callous disregard for human life and a willingness to exploit addiction for personal gain.

Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers handed down the 51-month sentence, a clear message that drug trafficking won’t be tolerated in West Virginia. The investigation was a joint effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Huntington Police Department, highlighting the need for interagency cooperation in tackling complex criminal enterprises.

Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey led the prosecution, building a case that held Wilson accountable for his role in the conspiracy. While Wilson’s sentence offers a degree of closure, the fight against drug trafficking in Huntington – and across the nation – is far from over. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose the individuals profiting from misery.