U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced on Apr. 23 that Mike Sheriff Scott, Rachelle Gaston, and Phineas Chaplin were convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances after a seven-day trial in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Scott and Gaston also faced additional felony charges related to the operation of a drug-involved premise, while Scott was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm.
This case is significant due to the use of CowGirlz Nightclub in Morgantown as a front for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl before it opened to the public. The prosecution argued that Scott used individuals with substance abuse disorder to help renovate the building and paid them with drugs.
Evidence presented at trial showed that surveillance footage captured Chaplin firing at a vehicle outside the club and Scott cleaning up shell casings from the scene. Law enforcement later seized five pistols—including two used in the shooting—along with ammunition hidden inside stairs leading to Scott’s office, as well as methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia during their search of the nightclub. Jail calls recorded after his arrest revealed that Scott continued attempts to operate his drug trafficking organization from jail and solicited others to destroy evidence.
Harvey said: “I am grateful for the swift and decisive actions taken by law enforcement that inevitably saved lives. This case should send a clear message to drug dealers that West Virginia is not open for business.”
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia prosecutes federal crimes and manages civil litigation on behalf of the United States according to its official website. The office serves 32 counties across northern West Virginia through staffed offices in Wheeling, Clarksburg, Elkins, and Martinsburg according to its official website. It also promotes community safety through outreach programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods according to its official website.
Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its lethality even in small amounts. This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
A federal district court judge will determine sentencing after reviewing U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory factors.
