HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Detroit man who led a conspiracy with other individuals to distribute heroin in Huntington in 2013 and 2014 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Christopher Lamarr-Shawn Harris, also known as “C" and “Caesar," 27, pleaded guilty before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to conspiring to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin.
From at least the summer of 2013 to April 2, 2014, Harris led a conspiracy along with others, including Denzell Lamar Bunkley, Jakaiser Wesley Jackson, and Brandon S. Keaton, to distribute heroin, primarily in West Huntington. Harris recruited co-conspirators and frequently arranged for the transportation of heroin from Detroit, Michigan, to Huntington. Harris utilized multiple locations to store, prepare and distribute heroin, including the Red Roof Inn Hotel located on Route 60 in Huntington and an apartment located at 1416 Jefferson Avenue in West Huntington. In addition to Bunkley, Jackson, and Keaton, Harris also recruited local residents to assist with drug distribution.
On Dec. 31, 2013, officers with the Huntington Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at the Jefferson Avenue apartment. Officers seized approximately 413 grams of heroin and $12,349 in cash during the search. Officers also arrested Harris, Bunkley, and another individual who were located inside the apartment.
Harris was again arrested on Feb. 20, 2014, in Ohio by the Ohio State Highway Patrol while travelling from Huntington to Detroit. During his arrest, officers seized a total of $24,930 in cash from Harris.
Harris was arrested for a third time on April 2, 2014, after officers received information that he was again present at the Red Roof Inn in Huntington distributing heroin. Officers executed a search warrant for two rooms at the hotel and seized approximately 192 grams of heroin along with $3,000 in cash. Harris, along with Jackson, had arranged for the transportation from Detroit of the heroin seized in the days prior to the search.
As part of his guilty plea, Harris admitted to arranging for the distribution of over one kilogram of heroin, primarily in West Huntington, during the conspiracy. Harris also admitted to serving as a manager and organizer of the conspiracy and maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing heroin.
Keaton, of Huntington, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy. Bunkley and Jackson, both of Detroit, also entered guilty pleas today.
Harris faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 6, 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
