HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Huntington man who was arrested as part of Project Huntington pled guilty today in federal court to drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Eric Lee Burgess, 34, entered guilty pleas to distribution of heroin, prohibited possession of a firearm by a drug user, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Huntington Police Department.
“Our goal in Project Huntington was to make Huntington one of the safest cities in America," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Removing defendants like Burgess, a gun selling, gun-toting heroin dealer and user, from the streets of Huntington, takes us one step closer to our goal."
On October 7, 2014, a confidential informant and an undercover ATF agent met with Burgess at Burgess’s residence located at 306 9th Street West in Huntington to purchase heroin. After negotiating the transaction, Burgess distributed approximately 5 grams of heroin to the agent in exchange for $875. Burgess was also observed using heroin and admitted that he possessed a.40 caliber pistol during the transaction.
On Dec. 16, 2014, the undercover agent again met with Burgess at his residence. On this occasion, the agent again observed Burgess using heroin and Burgess sold the agent an AR-15 style rifle along with a 30-round magazine.
On April 17, 2018, investigators arrested Burgess at his residence as part of Project Huntington. Investigators conducted a search of Burgess’s residence and seized a number of items including heroin, digital scales, and three firearms with assorted ammunition. Burgess admitted that he intended to distribute the heroin that was seized and that he possessed the firearms to serve as protection during heroin transactions.
During the plea hearing, Burgess also admitted to meeting with the informant and undercover agent on six additional occasions. On these occasions, Burgess admitted that he sold the informant and agent oxycodone pills, heroin, and four additional firearms. Burgess also admitted that he possessed other firearms during some of the transactions and that he was prohibited from possessing firearms based on his drug usage.
Burgess faces at least 5 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 14, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
This prosecution is part of Project Huntington, an effort announced by United States Attorney Mike Stuart in March 2018 in response to the opiate epidemic and violent crime in southern West Virginia.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
