Sanford Austin Mays, a 40-year-old man from Fairmont, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 90 months in prison for his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution ring and unlawful possession of firearms.
Mays pleaded guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearms” in January 2019. According to the United States Attorney Bill Powell, Mays admitted to possessing methamphetamine in Marion County in June 2018.
Further investigation revealed that Mays, who has a history of multiple felony convictions, also possessed a .45 caliber pistol in Marion County in June 2018. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that has been proven to be effective in reducing violent crime. The program works by bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. In this case, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the White Hall Police Department all contributed to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government, with U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presiding. The sentencing of Sanford Austin Mays to 90 months in prison serves as a testament to the effectiveness of Project Safe Neighborhoods and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to reducing violent crime in West Virginia.
The case against Mays is a prime example of the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the impact that Project Safe Neighborhoods can have on reducing violent crime. By targeting the most violent offenders and addressing the root causes of crime, PSN has been shown to be an effective tool in creating safer communities.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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