CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston man pled guilty to a drug crime announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Harold Battle, 49, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
“Meth is flooding our cities," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Make no mistake -- the Mexican cartels know where we are and they are the ultimate suppliers to these managers of their drug businesses. We are working day in and day out with our partners in law enforcement to identify and prosecute the drug dealers selling meth on our streets. The victims are my family, friends and neighbors. To me, it’s personal. That’s why I have a sense of urgency to take the poison peddlers off our streets."
Battle admitted that on Oct. 31, 2017, he distributed 60 grams of methamphetamine to a person cooperating with law enforcement on Charleston’s East End. Officers with the Charleston Police Department stopped a vehicle for multiple traffic violations. During interactions with the driver of the vehicle, officers discovered 32.80 grams of methamphetamine on the driver. The driver told law enforcement he received the methamphetamine from a person they knew as Unk. He agreed to cooperate with law enforcement and ordered more methamphetamine from Battle. Battle arrived on the East End of Charleston and distributed 29.129 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $1,000 in United States Currency. Battle was arrested shortly after the drug deal.
Battle faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on Feb. 10, 2020.
The Charleston Police Department and the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
