Drugs seized during investigation have estimated street value of over $450,000
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Montgomery man caught with substantial amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Bryan Lee Palmer, 43, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Palmer admitted that on Feb. 26, 2016, he made arrangements for a drug deal to take place at a hotel in South Charleston. When Palmer arrived at the hotel, he was met by law enforcement. The officers obtained a search warrant for a duffel bag and backpack that was in Palmer’s possession. When officers searched the bags, they found over 1,500 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 700 grams of heroin, over a half a kilogram of marijuana, a loaded.45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and over $30,000 in cash. Palmer further admitted that it was his intent to distribute the drugs in the Charleston area. Law enforcement estimated the street value of the seized drugs to be approximately $466,000.
Palmer faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on Oct. 12, 2016.
The case against Palmer was investigated by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and members of its Sheriff’s Tactical Operations Patrol (STOP) team. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.
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 illegal drugs, including methamphetamine and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
