HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit, Michigan man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 28, 2021, law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance on a Bernard Street residence in Huntington when they saw Marcellas Cortez Mitchell, 28, leave the residence in a vehicle. Mitchell was driving with a revoked license and officers stopped the vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed a front seat passenger making furtive movements. A search of the passenger resulted in two baggies containing approximately 11 grams and 8.7 grams of suspected heroin. Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and found 46 grams of suspected heroin as well as drug paraphernalia. Mitchell admitted that he had given the passenger the baggies to conceal.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 14, 2022.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe 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. 3:21-cr-00139.
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