CHARLESTON, W.Va. - An Akron, Ohio man was sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Eugene Calvin Wells, 46, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of ICE methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
“We are working across jurisdictional boundaries to hold out-of-state drug dealers accountable," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Wells was responsible for bringing a tremendous amount of meth and heroin from Akron into Charleston. Getting Wells, his co-conspirators, and their drugs and guns off the streets was a huge win for law enforcement and the City of Charleston."
Wells previously admitted that between August 1 and Sept. 28, 2018, he was part of a drug trafficking conspiracy bringing heroin and methamphetamine from Akron, Ohio to be distributed in Charleston, West Virginia. On four occasions between August 1 and Sept. 27, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Wells and his co-conspirators, Miranda Brandon and Sherry Gray. On Sept. 28, 2018, DEA task force officers executed search warrants at a residence on Ferguson Avenue in Charleston used by Wells and at his residence in Akron. At the Charleston residence, police seized four firearms, 521 grams of methamphetamine, 737 grams of heroin, and 602 grams of pentedrone. At Wells’ residence in Akron, police seized three handguns, three assault rifles, a shotgun, more than $8,000, and 432 grams of heroin.
As a result of the investigation, Wells was charged with federal offenses in both the Southern District of West Virginia and the Southern District of Ohio. His plea and sentencing resolved the charges in both districts.
On Aug. 27, 2019, Miranda Brandon was sentenced to 138 months, and Sherry Gray was sentenced to 108 months for their involvement in the conspiracy.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks and former Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman handled the prosecution.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
