McDowell County man sentenced for federal drug crime

KYLE, WV (WVNS) — A McDowell County man was sentenced to prison for a federal drug crime that involved cocaine and methamphetamine.

According to a press release, 44-year-old Lansen Sharif Waugh, of Kyle, was sentenced on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 to two years and six months in prison, followed by three years of parole, for distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine.

The press release stated that according to statements made in court, Waugh sold controlled substances with cocaine and methamphetamine to a confidential informant at Waugh’s house in the Kyle area of McDowell County on June 15, 2021.

Waugh acknowledged his involvement in the sale, and also revealed that he sold cocaine and a controlled substance with fentanyl and heroin two different times to the confidential informant.

Members of law enforcement carried out a search warrant at Waugh’s house in the Kyle area of McDowell County on July 2, 2021, where they discovered two guns, as well as amounts of cocaine. Waugh revealed that he planned to distribute the cocaine that was found by the law enforcement officers.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force for their work on the investigation.

Members of the West Virginia State Police, the Bluefield Police Department, the Princeton Police Department, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office make up the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

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