Chesapeake Man Pleads Guilty To West Virginia Drug Crime
Thursday, January 23, 2025, 6:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Gary Neil Abbott, 52, of Chesapeake, Ohio, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of a Substance Containing an Amount of Methamphetamine.
According to U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and charging documents filed with the court, on August 9, 2024, West Virginia State Police Officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Abbott in Ashton, West Virginia.
During Traffic Stop Abbott Tells Officer He Has Drugs And A Gun In The Car
   During the traffic stop, Abbott told the Police Officer that he had a firearm in the vehicle and that there may be marijuana and ‘ice’ a street name for methamphetamine in the vehicle as well. The Police Officer subsequently searched the vehicle and located around 8.7 ounces of methamphetamine in a black bag. Small amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana were also located in a separate container, and a Glock .45-caliber handgun was located tucked alongside the front seat of the vehicle.
Following his guilty plea on Tuesday, Judge Chambers accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for May 12, 2025. At sentencing, Abbott faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in federal prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a $5 million fine. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Abbott’s prior criminal history.
