BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - A Charleston man was sentenced on June 25 to 18 years in federal prison for distribution of crack cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. James T. Washington, 35, of Charleston, previously pleaded guilty in November 2012. The sentence was handed down by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber in federal court in Bluefield. On July 31, 2012, Washington sold.69 grams of crack cocaine to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) in exchange for $100. The illegal transaction took place in Charleston. Also, on August 7, 2012, Washington met an informant at a predetermined location in Charleston and sold the informant 1.01 grams of crack cocaine in exchange for $200.
On Aug. 12, 2012, officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that was occupied by Washington and an associate. During the traffic stop, a police dog gave a positive indication of the presence of drugs. Police searched the vehicle and found 241 grams of crack cocaine hidden inside of the center console. Washington had obtained the crack cocaine the previous day and admitted that he intended to sell it.
The investigation was conducted by MDENT. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
