CHARLESTON, W.Va. - An Arkansas man pled guilty to drug and gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Justin Rogers, 37, of Mountain View, Arkansas, pled guilty to possessing 146.75 grams of methamphetamine and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“If you’re not from West Virginia but are bringing crime, drugs and trouble to this good state, you’re not welcome in West Virginia," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Troublemakers and hoodlums need not bring their dastardly deeds here and, if they do, they’ll get what they deserve if they catch my attention. We’re working with our law enforcement partners to prosecute bad guys and to put them behind bars as long as possible."
Rogers admitted that on Nov. 2, 2018, he possessed a 12 gauge Hatfield shotgun, and a Springfield.45 caliber ACP pistol. He admitted he carried and used the firearms in part to protect himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds. He admitted he possessed the firearms and drugs in his truck in Kenna, Jackson County, West Virginia.
Rogers faces five years up to life in prison when he is sentenced on Oct. 3, 2019.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
