HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Huntington in 2013 pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.
Steven Edward Lewis, also known as “Rico,” 27, pleaded guilty before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Beginning in the summer of 2013, Lewis participated in a conspiracy with Christopher Lamarr-Shawn Harris, Denzel Lamar Bunkley, Jakaiser Wesley Jackson, Brandon S. Keaton and others, to distribute heroin primarily in West Huntington.
As part of his guilty plea, Lewis admitted he was recruited by Harris to travel from Detroit to Huntington to assist in heroin distributions. Lewis also admitted to distributing heroin in West Huntington, transporting heroin between various locations, and transporting cash proceeds from heroin distributions from Huntington to Detroit.
On December 31, 2013, officers with the Huntington Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at an apartment located at 1416 Jefferson Avenue in West Huntington. Officers seized approximately 413 grams of heroin and $12,349 in cash during the search. Officers also arrested Lewis, Harris and Bunkley, who were located inside the apartment.
Harris, Bunkley and Jackson, all of Detroit, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and will be sentenced in October 2014. Keaton, of Huntington, was sentenced yesterday to 15 months in federal prison for his role.
Lewis faces five to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 14, 2014.
The Huntington Police Department Special Investigations Unit, the West Virginia State Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Marshals Service all participated in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of heroin and prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiates, including heroin, in communities across the Southern District.
Steven Edward Lewis, 27, of Detroit, faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison. The exact prison time will be determined at sentencing on October 14, 2014. Lewis was arrested on December 31, 2013, after police executed a search warrant at an apartment in West Huntington, where they seized 413 grams of heroin and $12,349 in cash.
The total amount of heroin seized was 413 grams, which is equivalent to approximately 9,000 doses of heroin.
Lewis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Steven Edward Lewis is the defendant in this case.
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- Robert Meade, Heroin Distribution, West Virginia 2014 · Virginia
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- Michaelo Merone, Distribution of Heroin, West Virginia 2023 · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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