Pennsylvania man sentenced in Fayette County for bringing controlled substance into West Virginia

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced in Fayette County for bringing a controlled substance into West Virginia.

According to Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti, Celester Vaughn, II, 62, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to one to ten years in prison for transporting a controlled substance into the state.

The sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Vaughn pleaded guilty to the felony offense on May 6, 2024. He must serve a minimum of one year before becoming eligible for parole.

The incident occurred on July 10, 2021, when Fayetteville Police Department officers were conducting traffic enforcement on U.S. Route 19.

An officer observed a Jeep following other vehicles too closely and initiated a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as Vaughn, admitted to possessing marijuana after the officer detected its odor coming from the vehicle.

Officers then spotted what appeared to be controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in plain view.

A subsequent search of Vaughn’s vehicle revealed over 1,000 pills in various containers.

Forensic testing confirmed the pills contained methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The Fayetteville Police Department investigated, and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sarah F. Smith prosecuted the case.