CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio man was sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Eugene Calvin Wells, 46, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of ICE methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

“We are working across jurisdictional boundaries to hold out-of-state drug dealers accountable,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Wells was responsible for bringing a tremendous amount of meth and heroin from Akron into Charleston.  Getting Wells, his co-conspirators, and their drugs and guns off the streets was a huge win for law enforcement and the City of Charleston.”

Wells previously admitted that between August 1 and September 28, 2018, he was part of a drug trafficking conspiracy bringing heroin and methamphetamine from Akron, Ohio to be distributed in Charleston, West Virginia.  On four occasions between August 1 and September 27, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Wells and his co-conspirators, Miranda Brandon and Sherry Gray.  On September 28, 2018, DEA task force officers executed search warrants at a residence on Ferguson Avenue in Charleston used by Wells and at his residence in Akron.  At the Charleston residence, police seized four firearms, 521 grams of methamphetamine, 737 grams of heroin, and 602 grams of pentedrone.  At Wells’ residence in Akron, police seized three handguns, three assault rifles, a shotgun, more than $8,000, and 432 grams of heroin.    

As a result of the investigation, Wells was charged with federal offenses in both the Southern District of West Virginia and the Southern District of Ohio.  His plea and sentencing resolved the charges in both districts. 

On August 27, 2019, Miranda Brandon was sentenced to 138 months, and Sherry Gray was sentenced to 108 months for their involvement in the conspiracy.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks and former Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman handled the prosecution.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Charleston women were sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine distribution, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Miranda Brandon, 38, of Charleston was sentenced to 138 months in prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Sherry Gray, 57, of Charleston was sentenced to 109 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Brandon will also serve a term of at least five years of supervised release upon her release from prison, and Gray will serve a term of at least three years of supervised release. 

“An incredible amount of meth and other drugs, and guns – all in a drug house on Charleston’s West Side,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Long prison sentences well earned.”

Brandon and Gray previously admitted that in August and September 2018 they delivered drugs and collected money at the direction of Eugene Calvin Wells.  They also admitted helping Wells to distribute approximately six ounces of methamphetamine to an informant working for the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force during several transactions occurring in Kanawha County.  On September 28, 2018, the DEA executed a search warrant at Brandon and Gray’s residence on Ferguson Avenue in Charleston that Wells used to store and sell drugs.  Agents seized more than 565 grams of heroin, 22 grams of fentanyl, 505 grams of methamphetamine, 600 grams of pentedrone, a synthetic controlled substance, three firearms and approximately $3,053.  On the same day, DEA agents searched Wells’ residence in Akron, Ohio and seized more than 400 grams of heroin, seven firearms, and approximately $8,080.  Wells pled guilty April 25, 2019 resolving federal charges brought both in the Southern District of West Virginia and in the Northern District of Ohio.  He faces a mandatory ten years to life in prison when he is sentenced on October 7, 2019.

The DEA Task Force conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks and former Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Davis handled the prosecution.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A mother and her daughter pled guilty to federal drug charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Sherry Gray, 62, pled guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Kanawha County in August and September 2018.  Gray’s daughter, Miranda Brandon, 38, pled guilty to distributing methamphetamine on August 1, 2018, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on September 28, 2018.

“It’s all in the family. This Project Charleston takedown dismantled a multi-state, poly-drug organization responsible for trafficking a significant amount of illegal drugs on Charleston’s West Side,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Although removing drug dealers from our community is gratifying, it’s tragic to see mother and daughter working side-by-side in the drug trade.”

On August 1, 2018, Brandon and Gray each participated in delivering methamphetamine to a confidential informant.  The deal took place inside of a vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood on Charleston’s’ West Side.  A week later, Gray later delivered additional methamphetamine to the same confidential informant at the same location.

Brandon and Gray each face a prison sentence of up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced on August 13, 2019.  Additionally, Brandon will be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis is handling the prosecution.  The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

 

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Charleston and Akron Drug Network Shut Down

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced several arrests today of drug traffickers operating between Charleston, West Virginia, and Akron, Ohio.  The multi-state Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) is responsible for distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine.  Joining United States Attorney Stuart in the announcement were Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) David Gourley, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Resident Agent in Charge Matthew Perry, Charleston Police Chief Steve Cooper, Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford and Chief Deputy Sheriff Greg Young, Supervisory Deputy United States Marshal Chris Leachman, as well as representatives from the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).  

Today’s arrests are the result of a long-term investigation led by DEA and MDENT into Eugene Wells, a poly-drug distributor from Akron, Ohio, and other members of his drug trafficking organization located in Charleston.  Multiple individuals have been charged in federal criminal complaints.  During the course of the investigation, investigators made controlled purchases of methamphetamine and heroin from the Wells DTO and identified a drug stash house on Charleston’s west side. 

On September 28, 2018 DEA agents and MDENT officers executed a search warrant on Miranda Brandon’s residence on Charleston’s West Side, leading to the arrest of Wells, Brandon and Sherry Gray.  The search of Brandon’s residence resulted in the seizure of  over 600 grams of suspected fentanyl, approximately 1,400 grams of heroin and over 700 grams of methamphetamine.  Brandon, Gray, and Wells were each present at Brandon’s residence when the warrant officers executed the warrant.  Each has a prior felony conviction, and each is therefore prohibited from possessing any firearm.  Police, however, recovered four guns from Brandon’s residence.  Agents with DEA’s Cleveland District Office also executed a warrant on Wells’ Akron residence on September 28, recovering over 400 grams of heroin and four firearms.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) provided assistance during the investigation.

“287,000 people. 287,000,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “If the fentanyl in this case had hit the streets, it could have been a disaster.  I grew up with the three “R’s” – reading, writing and the road map to Akron.  Now it’s time for reading, writing and the roadmap back to Akron.  For Eugene Wells and his trafficking buddies, Akron is no longer an option.  If convicted their roadmap heads directly to the federal pen. I want to thank all of my federal, state and local partners who participated in today’s actions including the excellent investigative work of the DEA and MDENT.  I also want to thank my prosecution team led by Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Davis, Drew Inman and John Frail.”

The arrests and seizures relating to the investigation are as follows: 

Multiple individuals have been charged by criminal complaint in the Southern District of West Virginia with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine;

Over 600 grams of suspected Fentanyl were seized;

Approximately 1400 grams of heroin were seized;

Over 700 grams of methamphetamine was seized;

Over $12,000 in United States Currency was seized; and

8 guns were seized.

 

“When I announced Project Charleston a little more than a month ago, I promised swift and certain action on Charleston’s West Side,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Promise made.  Promise kept.  I intend to continue to focus federal resources on ridding the West Side of criminal elements, violent crime, drug thugs, and hooligans  that cause chaos, fear and despair for law abiding families. The days of lawlessness on the West Side are soon to end.  A basic human right is to live safely and peaceably in your home and community. We will maintain a sense of urgency until every violent element is incarcerated or driven out of Charleston.  If you are a drug dealer or criminal operating within Charleston’s West Side and we did not arrest you today, do not think for a moment that we aren’t aware of you.  We have more operations ongoing at this moment than at any time in the history of the West Side.  Let me be absolutely clear, if you are dealing drugs or causing trouble on Charleston’s West Side, we will arrest you and, if convicted, incarcerate you as long as possible.”

“The partnership between the Charleston Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office under Mike Stuart has never been stronger,” said Police Chief Steve Cooper.   “Together we are making community in the capital city safer, one block at a time.”

“DEA remains committed to bringing violent drug traffickers to justice,” said DEA Assistant Special in Charge David Gourley.

The investigation is ongoing and could result in additional federal and state charges in the future.

 

Please Note:  The charges contained in the criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

SDWVNews and USAttyStuart



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