METH MADNESS: Meth Purveyors Nicoma Knight and Phillip Finley indicted on drug distribution and firearms charges

METH MADNESS: Meth Purveyors Nicoma Knight and Phillip Finley indicted on drug distribution and firearms charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Philip K. Finley and Nicoma L. Knight, both of Clarksburg, West Virginia, were indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Wheeling on drug distribution and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced on Oct. 4, 2018.

Prosecutors say that Finley, 51, is charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine,” one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine – Aiding and Abetting,” four counts of “Distribution of Methamphetamine,” two counts of “Possession With the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine,” one count of “Possession With the Intent to Distribute Heroin,” one count of “Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime,” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.”

Knight, 23, is charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine.”

Finley and Knight are accused of distributing methamphetamine in Harrison County from March until September 2018.

Finley and Knight face 10 years to life incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant

Powell also reported that the Federal government is also seeking forfeiture of the following:

• $173,442 in cash;
• Smith & Wesson 5-shot revolver, model 60, .38 Special caliber;
• Taurus International MFG., INC. 5-shot revolver, model 650, .357 Magnum caliber;
• Beemiller, INC. semi-automatic pistol, model CF380, .380 ACP caliber;
• Savage Arms, INC. bolt-action rifle, model 93R17, .17 HMR caliber;
• Savage Arms, INC. bolt-action shotgun (“Stevens”), model 59A, .410 gauge;
• Stevens, J., Arms Company pump-action shotgun, model 620, 12-gauge;
• Union Firearms Company pump-action shotgun, model 24, 12-gauge;
• Harrington & Richardson, INC. break-open action shotgun, model 158, 12-gauge;
• Crescent Firearms Company break-open action shotgun (“Sears, Roebuck and Company”) model: Unknown, 16-gauge;
• Winchester break-open action shotgun, model 840, 12-gauge;
• Stevens, J., Arms Company break-open action shotgun (“Off-Hand”), model NO. 35, 12-gauge;
• Sturm, Ruger & Co. semi-automatic rifle, model Mini-Thirty, 7.62×39 caliber, with a high capacity magazine;
• Cobray Industries single-shot pistol, model D, .45 caliber;
• Colt’s Manufacturing Company, LLC semi-automatic pistol, model Colt Automatic, .25 caliber;
• Taurus International MFG., INC. 6-shot revolver, model 669, .357 Magnum caliber;
• Lorcin Engineering Co., INC. semi-automatic pistol, model L-22, .22 caliber;
• Beretta semi-automatic pistol, model Px4 Storm, .40 S&W caliber;
• Nine (9) assorted .40 caliber pistol cartridges;
• Five (5) CBC –Brazilian Cartridge Company pistol cartridges;
• Nine (9) .357 caliber pistol cartridges;
• Five (5) Aguila .380 pistol cartridges
• Four (4) assorted .25 caliber pistol cartridges; and
• One-Hundred Sixty (160) assorted multi-caliber pieces of ammunition.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.