Department of Justice

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Rocky Douglas Idleman, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to life plus 60 months incarceration for methamphetamine distribution and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Idleman, age 39, was found guilty of one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine,” one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine,” two counts of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm,” and one count of “Carry a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime” after a three-day trial in October 2018. Idleman committed the crimes from March 2016 to September 2017 in Upshur County and elsewhere. 

 

“Methamphetamine is an ever-increasing problem in our district and often causes violent behavior.  The addition of firearms further enhances the risk of violence.  The life sentence handed down by the court was just and sends a very strong message about how these crimes will be prosecuted.  We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who flaunt our laws to the detriment of our communities,” said Powell.  

 

“Drug dealers with guns are violent criminals who pose an increased threat to the safety of our communities,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Stuart Lowrey of the Louisville Field Division. “ATF, strives to be ‘no better partner’ to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Together, we will continue to aggressively investigate, arrest and pursue prosecution of these offenders. Our shared commitment to reducing violent crime continues to make West Virginia safer for everyone.”

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration;  The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, composed of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Elkins Police Department, U.S. Forest Service, and Tucker County Sheriff’s Office; the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office; the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office; the Buckhannon Police Department; and the Weston Police Department investigated. 
 
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.