CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Parkersburg man who was caught with more than a kilo of cocaine earlier in the year is heading to prison.
According to a release from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin’s Office, Richard Curry, Jr., also known as “Cheese” and “Curtus Javon McDonald,” was sentenced Monday to 22 years and seven months in federal prison.
On May 3, Curry, 31, was arrested at a Charleston apartment complex while attempting to sell cocaine to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, according to the release.
While being arrested, Curry, who began resisting, fired a single shot from a Taurus .40 caliber pistol that he had hidden inside of his jacket. No one was injured in the shooting.
The released said after searching Curry’s person, police found a wrapped package containing cocaine weighing 1.2 kilograms. A search was also conducted of his vehicle which resulted in the discovery of 68 grams of crack cocaine and 73 grams of cocaine.
Curry previously pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston sentenced Curry to a total of 271 months in prison: 151 months for one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 120 months for using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The prison sentences are to be served consecutively.
According to the release, Curry is responsible for distributing cocaine to a confidential informant on at least six other occasions.