HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Four defendants were sentenced to federal prison on drug charges by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
“Four drug traffickers were sentenced to federal prison today for peddling poisons," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The underlying charges involved distribution of black tar heroin, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana. Yes, marijuana. My office enforces all federal drug laws. If we find you selling illegal drugs in my district, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Mathew Byrd, 32, of Barboursville, was sentenced to 106 months in prison for selling heroin and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Byrd was also ordered to forfeit a 2016 Cadillac Escalade, $10,000 in U.S. Currency, and various personal property. Byrd previously admitted that on Jan. 31, 2019, he sold seven grams of black tar heroin to a confidential informant. He also admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Violent Crime Drug Task Force West and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution.
Tequan Montek Pratt, 24, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for distribution of marijuana. Pratt admitted that on March 30, 2018 and April 9, 2018, he sold a pound of marijuana to a confidential informant at a duplex in Nitro, Putnam County, West Virginia. Pratt also admitted that he and his associates were trafficking the marijuana from cities throughout California for several months. Estimated conservatively, Pratt admitted to trafficking at least 20 kilograms of marijuana from California. Pratt also possessed multiple firearms at another house in Putnam County. The Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe and former Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman handled the prosecution.
Abdullah Myles, 25, of Michigan, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute heroin. Myles previously admitted that on February 7, 2019, officers with the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence Myles was living in at 825 21st Street in Huntington. Officers recovered 13 grams of heroin from the room Myles was living in. The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
Maechelle Relf, 27, of Huntington, was sentenced to seven months in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Relf previously admitted that between December 2018 and May 2019 she conspired with other individuals to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Huntington, West Virginia. Relf admitted that she would travel to Detroit, Michigan to obtain heroin for George Lockhart for him to sell in Huntington. Her charges were the result of Operation Free Market, a long-term drug investigation in the Huntington area. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and the Drug Task Force West conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
