Morgantown Night Club Owner, Two Others Convicted of Drug Conspiracy

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey has announced that Mike Sheriff Scott, 47, Rachelle Gaston, 41, and Phineas Chaplin, 42, were convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances by a federal jury yesterday following a 7-day trial. Scott and Gaston were convicted of additional felony charges related to the drug operation, including Aiding and Abetting the Maintaining of a Drug-Involved Premise. The jury also returned a guilty verdict for Scott for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

"I am grateful for the swift and decisive actions taken by law enforcement that inevitably saved lives," said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. "This case should send a clear message to drug dealers that West Virginia is not open for business."

Evidence presented at trial established Scott utilized CowGirlz Nightclub, which was not yet open to the public, on Earl Core Road in Morgantown, West Virginia as a front to distribute drugs. Evidence presented at trial established that Scott used the nightclub to sell methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as to store his supply of illicit drugs obtained from out-of-state. Further, evidence presented at trial established that Scott utilized individuals with substance abuse disorder to conduct renovations on the building to prepare it to operate as a nightclub and paid those individuals with controlled substances.

Jurors also heard about a shooting in Monongalia County which led investigators to obtain a search warrant for the nightclub. Footage from the cameras outside showed Chaplin firing at a vehicle and Scott cleaning up the shell casings from the crime. A subsequent search of the nightclub led to the seizure of five pistols - including two of the firearms used in the shooting - and ammunition concealed inside of a hidden compartment inside of the stairs to Scott's office in the nightclub. Also seized were methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. Recorded jail calls showed that Scott continued to attempt to operate the drug trafficking organization while incarcerated and solicited others to destroy evidence.

Chaplin previously pled guilty to another felony drug charge and a firearms violation connected to this case.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Eleanor F. Hurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

Investigative agencies include the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.