Sanford Austin Mays, Methamphetamine Trafficking, West Virginia 2018

Methamphetamine Ring Busted in West Virginia: Sanford Austin Mays Faces Serious Charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – In a bold move to take down a notorious methamphetamine trafficking ring in West Virginia, federal authorities have indicted Sanford Austin Mays, a 39-year-old man from Fairmont, on drug possession and firearms charges.

According to the indictment, Mays is accused of possessing methamphetamine in Marion County in June 2018. What’s more, with a history of multiple felony convictions, Mays is also charged with unlawfully possessing a .45 caliber pistol in Marion County in the same year.

The severe consequences of these crimes are clear: Mays faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for the methamphetamine count. Additionally, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms count.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will depend on the severity of the offenses and Mays’ prior criminal history, if any.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making our neighborhoods safer. The program has been successful in bringing together law enforcement agencies to combat rising violence in America.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the White Hall Police Department.

It’s worth noting that an indictment is merely an accusation, and Mays is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

In a statement, Attorney General Jeff Sessions emphasized the importance of addressing the tide of rising violent crime in America.

With the reinvigoration of PSN in October 2017, Attorney General Sessions directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates lessons learned since the program launched in 2001.

The case against Sanford Austin Mays serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of methamphetamine trafficking and the importance of continued efforts to combat this issue.

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