BECKLEY, W.Va. - Two Beckley men were sentenced to federal prison today for drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Benjamin Payne, 51, of Beckley, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to distributing a quantity of cocaine base. Because Payne was on supervised release when he committed the crime, he was sentenced to an additional year to run consecutively with his 10 year sentence. In a separate prosecution, Raushan W. McDougald, 38, of Beckley, was sentenced to 84 months years in prison after being convicted of distributing a quantity of cocaine base. U.S. Attorney Stuart applauded the Beckley Police Department for the investigation of Payne and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for the investigation of McDougald.
“I commend the tireless efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to rid West Virginia communities of illicit drugs," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Cocaine is a growing threat once again. These guys are off the streets and in the federal pen they’ve earned."
Payne admitted that on Oct. 26, 2017, at or near Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia, he distributed a quantity of cocaine base to a confidential informant working with law enforcement officers. As part of his plea agreement, Payne agreed to forfeit over $23,000 in drug proceeds and a handgun.
McDougald admitted that at or near Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia, he distributed a quantity of cocaine base to a confidential informant working with law enforcement officer. McDougald agreed to forfeit $14,000 in U.S. Currency and a firearm.
This cases was 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 prescription drugs and opiates. The United States 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.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence in the both cases.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
