Two Huntington Men Sentenced to Federal Prison

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two Huntington men were sentenced to federal prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

“Great work by the Huntington Police Department,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Two more drug dealers are off of city streets.”

Desean Briscoe, 30, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Briscoe previously pled guilty and admitted that on January 23, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at his residence at 850 Bronson Court in Huntington.  Officers found two firearms.  After he was arrested and taken to the Huntington Police Department, Briscoe told officers he had heroin hidden on his person.  Officers retrieved approximately 16 grams of heroin from Briscoe.  Briscoe was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2015 felony conviction out of Wayne County for attempt to deliver a controlled substance.

In a separate case, Matthew Thomas, also known as “Rico Dolla,” and “PJ,” 29, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for distributing heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base.  Thomas previously pled guilty and admitted that in May and June 2019 he sold heroin on three occasions to a confidential informant in Huntington.  Thomas also admitted that on June 19, 2019, officers with the Huntington Police Department searched his residence and found approximately 30 grams of heroin and 8 grams of cocaine base.  Officers also found a drug press.  Thomas admitted he intended to sell the heroin and cocaine base.

The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecutions.

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 Nos. 3:20-cr-00040 (Briscoe) and 3:20-cr-00137 (Thomas).