By KENNETH HART - The Independent
HUNTINGTON — An Ashland man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Huntington to a charge of distributing crack cocaine.
Steven T. Hester, 19, entered a guilty plea to a single count of distribution of 5 grams or more of crack. Under the terms of his plea agreement, a second charge of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack will be dismissed.
Hester faces five to 40 years in a federal penitentiary and a fine of up to $2 million. However, any sentence he receives will be imposed after consideration of federal guidelines.
Judge Robert C. Chambers scheduled Hester’s sentencing for May 3.
In pleading guilty, Hester acknowledged selling 10.1 grams of crack to a cooperating witness on April 15 of last year. The transaction took place in the parking lot of a restaurant on Madison Avenue in West Huntington, according to court records.
Hester was one of six indicted in a crack distribution ring that was broken up by federal drug agents and local authorities last summer.
As part of the investigation, police confiscated drugs with a combined street value of more than $100,000, including 90 grams of uncut heroin, 150 grams of crack and three-fourths of a pound of marijuana. The suspects in the conspiracy were arrested in Proctorville and Rome Township, Ohio, in Huntington and in Hurricane, W.Va.
Two others indicted in the ring, Noah A. “Real” Flora of Huntington and Leoditus A. “Leo” Smith of Columbus, Ohio, have also pleaded guilty. Flora’s sentencing is Feb. 16; Smith was sentenced to nearly 22 years in December.
The three others charged in the conspiracy — the alleged ringleader Kevin L. “KK” Robinson of Columbus; Britton B. “Britto” Fiske of Hurricane and Jason P. “Biz” Belcher — are awaiting trial.
The investigation received an infusion of federal funds by virtue of its designation within the Appalachia High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The case also was brought as part of the Fairfield West area of Huntington’s participation in the national Weed & Seed initiative.
KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.
