CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Shawn Lamont Lane, 33, of Charleston, was sentenced to seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 5, 2021, Lane was a passenger in a vehicle encountered by law enforcement officers in the South Hills section of Charleston. The officers subsequently found approximately 11 grams of methamphetamine and 1 gram of fentanyl in Lane’s pocket. Lane admitted that he intended to distribute the drugs. Lane further admitted to possessing a Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 9mm pistol and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine also found in the vehicle. Lane admitted that in furtherance of his drug trafficking, he possessed this firearm along with two others later found in a residence where he was staying: a Norinco SKS, 7.62x39mm rifle and an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15, .300 Blackout caliber rifle.
Lane also admitted that on July 15, 2021, he sold 21 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. The next day, July 16, 2021, Lane was stopped by law enforcement in a vehicle in which he was carrying another loaded handgun. Lane was again stopped by law enforcement, on July 20, 2021, and had over $2,300 in drug proceeds.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Hamner prosecuted the case.