HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Two defendants appeared in federal court in Huntington yesterday for drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Lurduea Appling, 37, of Detroit, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of oxycodone, and was sentenced to two years and 10 months in federal prison. In a separate prosecution, Joseph Mitchell, 44, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.
U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the West Virginia State Police Violent Crime and Drug Task Force in the Appling case. He also commended the Marshall University Office of Public Safety and the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force for the investigation of Mitchell.
On March 20, 2017, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the West Virginia State Police Violent Crime and Drug Task Force used a confidential informant to make a controlled buy of oxycodone from Appling. The drug deal took place at 1342 15th Street in Huntington. Appling provided the informant with the oxycodone in exchange for $3,750 in cash. As part of the plea agreement, Appling admitted to all the drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment.
In a separate prosecution, on Aug. 2, 2017, an officer with the Marshall University Office of Public Safety conducted a traffic stop of Mitchell on the 500 block of 20th Street in Huntington. Upon searching the vehicle, the officer discovered approximately 11.5 grams of suspected heroin and a digital scale. Mitchell admitted that he intended to sell the heroin. As part of the plea agreement, Mitchell also admitted to all the other drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment. Mitchell faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 23, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is in charge of these prosecutions. The hearings were held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
These cases are 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 pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
* Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
