An Elkview man pleaded guilty this week to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Randy George Vance, 59, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
On January 13, 2016, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted a traffic stop of Vance as he was returning to West Virginia from Atlanta. During a search of Vance’s vehicle, officers recovered approximately 156 grams of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was lab-tested and confirmed to be over 80% pure. Vance admitted that he got the drugs in Atlanta and that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine.
Vance faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on December 13, 2017.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriele Wohl is responsible for the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston is presiding over the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.
