WYOMING COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Wyoming County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges stemming from a traffic stop in April.
The Wyoming County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reports that, on April 7, 2024, Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department Deputy, Mathew Perry observed a vehicle with an expired registration plate and defective equipment. Deputy Zacharia Cook with the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department then attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
The driver, later identified as 31-year-old Daniel James Dotson of Delbarton, WV, initially failed to yield, initiating a brief pursuit before eventually pulling the vehicle over.
A search of the involved vehicle yielded an unknown substance identified by Dotson as crack cocaine. A large amount of money and a pistol were also recovered from within the vehicle.
Subsequent review of dash camera footage revealed that an object had been tossed from the vehicle during the traffic stop. Returning to the scene, Deputy Perry and Deputy Cook were able to successfully recover a bag which contained ten plastic baggies. Testing would reveal these baggies to contain methamphetamine and fentanyl.
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, Daniel James Dotson was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance. Dotson pled guilty to this charge in September.
“This is another example of exemplary police work,” said Wyoming County Prosecuting Attorney, Gregory Bishop. “These deputies risk life and limb to remove these deadly illegal drugs from the streets and out of the hands of criminals. Working hand in hand with law enforcement, we will aggressively prosecute drug dealers and seek the maximum penalty.”
The Honorable Judge Robert Burnside, Jr. oversaw trial proceedings, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Derek Laxton.
