BECKLEY, W.VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - West Virginia, Southern), published as received.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man pled guilty yesterday to a federal methamphetamine distribution and gun crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Jason Cook, 33, entered his guilty plea to distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

“Unfortunately, we see it far too often – a previously convicted felon selling firearms and drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “In partnership with ATF and state and local law enforcement, we have successfully prosecuted a significant number of these types of cases so far this year.  This United States Attorney is committed to reducing the drug and violent crime that has plagued our communities for far too long.”

Cook admitted that on January 29, 2018, he sold methamphetamine, that he had manufactured himself, to a confidential informant working with the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.  At the same time that he sold the methamphetamine to the informant, he also sold a Taurus, Model 66, .357 caliber revolver handgun.  Cook further admitted that he knew this was illegal, because he was a convicted felon and was not supposed to possess any firearms.  Cook also admitted to selling heroin and methamphetamine to the same informant on different dates.   

Cook faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the distribution of methamphetamine to be followed by a mandatory consecutive sentence of not less than 5 years for possessing the firearm during a drug trafficking offense when he is sentenced on December 5, 2018.

Assistant United States Attorneys Miller Bushong and Timothy D. Boggess are responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. 

 

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