BECKLEY, W.Va. – Artie Ray Warwick, Jr., 53, of Beckley, pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.
According to court documents, Warwick admitted that on March 2, 2020 law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence in Beckley. During the search, officers found in excess of 300 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of heroin, cocaine, and an assortment of prescription pills. Warwick admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine in and around Raleigh County. The officers also recovered 104 marijuana plants which Warwick was growing inside his house. As part of the plea, defendant also admitted to being in possession of over 800 grams of methamphetamine on October 25, 2021, that he admitted he intended to distribute in and around Beckley, and to selling small quantities of marijuana.
Warwick pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine and faces not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 10, 2022.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit is comprised of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is handling the prosecution.
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. 5:21-cr-00230.
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