CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Keith Morris, 33, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of firearms and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl. Morris was charged in a Superseding Indictment returned by a federal grand jury in November 2020.
According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, on or about January 23, 2020, after responding to a two-vehicle crash in Charleston, officers with the Charleston Police Department (CPD) located 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a loaded Glock, model 26, 9mm semi-automatic pistol in Morris’s car. In addition, on or about August 7, 2020, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) seized 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a loaded SCCY CPX-1 9mm caliber from Morris’s car after conducting a traffic stop in Charleston. Morris admitted he intended to distribute the controlled substances that had been seized from him. Morris further admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because he previously had been convicted of the felony offenses of attempted murder and wanton endangerment with a firearm in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
Morris faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on July 19, 2021.
The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani 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. 2:20-cr-00167.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment