CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston man was sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Lawrence Moles II, 36, was sentenced to 130 months in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
“Drugs and guns…what a dangerous combination and a dangerous situation for the people of West Virginia," United States Attorney Mike Stuart said. “Charleston is safer having this man in prison."
Moles previously admitted that on Dec. 14, 2018, detectives with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered a Glock, model 21,.45 caliber pistol in his bedroom, as well as 102 grams of methamphetamine, a Springfield, model XD-45,.45 caliber pistol, and a Bryco, model Jennings Nine, 9mm caliber pistol from a safe in his kitchen. The safe also contained digital scales and alleged drug packaging. Moles admitted the methamphetamine was possessed to be distributed and he received a sentencing enhancement because he was using his residence to store the methamphetamine. Moles had previously been convicted on Jan. 20, 2017, in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County for receiving a stolen vehicle.
The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Saunders and Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich handled the prosecution.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
