HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Detroit man who participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Huntington in 2013 pleaded guilty today 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 Dec. 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 Oct. 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
