Michigan Man Sentenced to More Than 16 Years for Drug and Firearms Charges
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Lamar Perdue, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 195 months incarceration for drug distribution and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
"This is a significant sentence in a significant case. Methamphetamine, fentanyl, and firearms is a trifecta you do not want to be part of. When you combine these activities with a location near a school, the sentence is just and effective. We will continue to aggressively take action against those traveling to our communities to do our citizens harm. This prosecution is an example of excellent work by law enforcement and our prosecution team. More prosecutions are coming," said Powell.
Perdue, age 21, pled guilty to one count of "Conspiracy to Possess With the Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances," one count of "Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location," one count of "Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Heroin within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location," one count of "Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location," and one count of "Aiding and Abetting Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime" in May 2019.
Perdue was distributing the drugs near West Fairmont Middle School in Marion County. The crimes took place from the fall of 2018 to January 2019.
During the investigation, agents seized drugs valued at approximately $200,000, including over 1.9 kilos of methamphetamine, 80 grams of fentanyl, and hundreds of prescription pills, including opiates, and marijuana. The amount of fentanyl was enough to kill 40,000 people. Agents also found a rifle, two pistols, and more than $18,000 in cash in a rental property in Fairmont, West Virginia.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an
evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Three Rivers Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
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