A Detroit man living on the campus of West Virginia State University in Institute pleaded guilty Thursday to selling drugs near his dorm in 2013.
Kendrick Leon Ward, 24, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a college or university, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin's office.
On Nov. 8 and 11, 2013, detectives with the Metro Drug Unit used an informant to buy approximately 5 grams of heroin from Ward in exchange for $1,125, the release stated. Both drug deals occurred near Ward's residence at Dawson Hall on campus.
On Nov. 12, 2013, police executed a search warrant on Ward's dorm room and seized 20 grams of heroin, 100 30-milligram oxycodone pills, 100 30-milligram tramadol pills, and $21,265, which included the money used in the undercover drug buy the day before, according to the release.
Ward faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a $2 million fine when he is sentenced Dec. 29.
The Metro Drug Unit investigated the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.