HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Chicago man was sentenced to four years and one month in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Richard Fleming, a Chicago man, previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the attempted distribution of 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. His sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
According to the investigation, Fleming traveled to Putnam County on March 12, 2010, to pick up approximately $600,000 of drug proceeds from a March 5, 2010, shipment of over 300 kilograms of marijuana on behalf of a drug trafficking organization operating out of Arizona and Mexico.
However, law enforcement intercepted the marijuana before it could be delivered. When Fleming arrived in Putnam County to pick up the cash, he met with an undercover officer who provided him with a duffel bag containing approximately $600,000 in drug proceeds.
Fleming then left the area and began traveling back to provide the money to other members of the drug trafficking organization. A traffic stop was conducted on Fleming’s vehicle in Kentucky, and the duffel bag was recovered.
Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of several agencies, including the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, and the United States Marshals Service.
“Drug criminals who think they can avoid prison by fleeing the country are dead wrong. If you run, we will work with our law enforcement partners to hunt you down and bring you to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “Public safety is a top priority of my office, and we will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that drug traffickers get the punishment they deserve.”
The investigation also resulted in the seizure of over $1 million in drug proceeds and an airplane belonging to this drug trafficking organization.
A total of 15 other individuals were successfully prosecuted as a result of the investigation.
Fleming admitted that he fled the United States to avoid prosecution in this case. He was originally charged in July 2010 and released on bond. On September 7, 2011, he failed to appear for his trial, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Fleming remained a fugitive until he was arrested in Mexico in August 2017.
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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