Operation Shutdown Corner Update: Beckley Man Sentenced to More Than 7 Years for Federal Drug and Gun Crimes

 BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man was sentenced to federal prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating between California and Raleigh County, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Christopher Redden, 31, of Beckley, was sentenced to 87 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine and for being an unlawful user in possession of a firearm. 

“Operation Shutdown Corner took down 17 drug traffickers who were spreading their poisons across southern West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “One by one they are being sent to prison for their crimes.”

Redden previously admitted that between January 2019 and September 17, 2019, he participated in the DTO by working with others to distribute methamphetamine and heroin in the Southern District of West Virginia. During this time period, Redden admitted to obtaining approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine a month and a quantity of heroin that he intended to redistribute. Redden admitted that at times he was fronted the drugs, or given drugs without paying for them, and then sold the drugs for profit to pay back the supplier. Other times he admitted to paying for the drugs up front. Additionally, Redden admitted that on September 18, 2019, when he was arrested, he was in possession of a Taurus, model G2C, 9mm semi-automatic pistol that he had received as payment for methamphetamine. He also admitted that at the time he possessed the firearm he knew he was an unlawful user of controlled substances and therefore prohibited from possessing any firearms. 

Operation Shutdown Corner was a joint investigative effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, the Beckley Police Department and the West Virginia State Police. 

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled 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. 5:19-cr-00312 and Case No. 5:19-cr-00237.