New York Man Pleads Guilty to Obstructing Federal Case

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A New York man who helped obstruct a federal drug conspiracy case in 2017 pled guilty today in federal court in Huntington, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Kevin Fritz Lamerique, 34, entered his guilty plea to aiding and abetting an attempt to obstruct and impede an official proceeding.  United States Attorney Stuart commended the work of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

“Evading arrest is a serious crime.  Aiding and abetting evasion of arrest is equally serious,” said United States Mike Stuart.  “Lamerique made an incredibly bad decision when he attempted to aid a federal defendant in evading arrest and now faces a lengthy prison term himself.”

From at least February of 2016 to June of 2017, members of the conspiracy obtained quantities of methamphetamine and heroin from California which were mailed to the Huntington and Cross Lanes areas.   The drugs would then be distributed to customers in Cabell, Putnam, and Kanawha counties.  During the investigation, agents executed multiple search warrants in Cabell and Kanawha counties and seized almost 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine along with multiple firearms and ammunition.

Lamerique admitted that after an indictment was returned in Huntington charging various members of the conspiracy, he initiated contact with a charged defendant at the direction of another person.  During various contacts, Lamerique delivered messages and instructions to the charged defendant.  Lamerique also arranged and participated in contacts between the charged defendant and the other person to aid the charged defendant’s evasion of arrest.

Lamerique faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 27, 2018.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

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.