BECKLEY, W.Va. - United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Devon Lamar Lockridge, 34, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Lockridge was previously charged as a result of a traffic stop in the city of Beckley.
“After being caught in Beckley with approximately 800 grams of meth and 46 grams of heroin, this Detroit drug dealer will spend five years in federal prison," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Our law enforcement partners working in the Beckley, Raleigh County area do an excellent job of protecting their communities from drug dealers like Lockridge."
Lockridge previously admitted that on Aug. 12, 2020, he was a passenger in a taxi in Beckley that was pulled over by police for speeding. During the traffic stop, officers smelled marijuana. Lockridge admitted to smoking marijuana. A drug detecting canine also indicated to the presence of controlled substances in the taxi. Based on this information, officers searched the car. During the search, officers found a bag belonging to Lockridge. In the bag, officers found almost 800 grams of methamphetamine packaged in fourteen separate bags, and approximately 46 grams of heroin. Lockridge admitted that he knew the drugs were in that bag and that he intended to distribute the drugs to others.
Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, (ATF), the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley Police Department, and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. Each agency provided additional and essential support throughout this investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-cr-00155.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
