HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Two men pleaded guilty today to federal drug crimes, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Matthew Michael Meadows, 31, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin. In a separate prosecution, Arthur James Canada, 25, of Huntington, entered his guilty plea to using a phone to facilitate a felony drug offense.
Meadows admitted that from the summer of 2014 to the spring of 2016, he conspired with others to distribute heroin in the Huntington and Charleston areas. Meadows frequently met with his co-conspirators and received amounts of heroin ranging from five grams to one ounce. He subsequently distributed the heroin and returned a portion of the drug proceeds back to his co-conspirators. Meadows admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of up to 400 grams of heroin. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on Sept. 26, 2016.
In a separate drug prosecution, Arthur James Canada admitted that from February 2016 to May 2016, he conspired with other individuals to distribute marijuana that had been transported from California. Members of the conspiracy were also involved in the distribution of other controlled substances, including heroin, crack, and pain pills. During the conspiracy, Canada further admitted to receiving marijuana that he sold in the Huntington area. On March 28, 2016, he placed a call to a co-conspirator that was intercepted by law enforcement. During the call, Canada and the co-conspirator discussed the price at which to sell a certain type of marijuana. Canada faces up to four years in federal prison when he is sentenced on Sept. 29, 2016.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted both investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecutions. The plea hearings were held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
These prosecutions were brought 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 prescription drugs 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 illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
