http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news...cle_ddee0129-e0fc-5746-99c3-6f07114d0dec.html
HUNTINGTON - Two men - one a former Marshall University football player - admitted to their roles in a heroin distribution conspiracy that lasted for two years in Huntington.
Mark Steven Bush Jr., 29, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Former Thundering Herd strong safety Tiquan Lang, 22, of Port St. Joe, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin in federal court Monday, according to U.S. Attorney Carol Casto.
The pair had been named in an 11-count indictment in December 2016 with six other alleged participants.
Marshall Sports Information Director Jason Corriher declined to comment on the plea Tuesday.
Lang admitted he participated in the conspiracy in early 2015 by permitting multiple individuals to distribute heroin from his apartment in the 1900 block of 7th Avenue in Huntington. Lang also would receive and distribute heroin when directed.
On Feb. 4, 2015, agents with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at his apartment and seized two firearms and a set of digital scales.
Lang was interviewed by agents two days after the raid and he admitted to possessing one firearm and to making multiple distributions of heroin on behalf of others, according to a plea form filed in federal court.
As per the plea agreement, the total amount of heroin attributable to Lang is less than 10 grams.
The former strong safety played for the Herd through the 2015 season and had a heavy hand in Marshall's 41-31 season-opening win over Purdue with 17 tackles and two interceptions for touchdowns. Despite injuries plaguing his performance for most the season, Lang was still named a Conference USA honorable mention player.
In April 2016, he was arrested on DUI and gun charges after Huntington police found him asleep in a running vehicle, but he remained on the team until Marshall dismissed him in August 2016 for "violation of team rules and policies."
Bush admitted from November 2014 to June 8, 2016, he conspired with a group who sold heroin on his behalf or rented or purchased cars for him in their name, stored heroin and guns for him, or transferred drug trafficking proceeds for him.
During the conspiracy, those selling heroin for Bush received heroin on consignment. Bush would later receive proceeds from the sales. Others aided Bush by titling his cars in their names in exchange for payments of heroin. Those individuals also would transport Bush for heroin transactions.
Bush would use another individual to make trips to Detroit to deliver money and transport heroin and oxymorphone pills back to Huntington. He would store and distribute the drugs at various homes in the Huntington area.
In a law enforcement search at a home in the 700 block of Oxford Drive in Huntington, approximately 85 grams of heroin and four firearms were seized, all of which Bush admitted to possessing.
Bush faces five to 20 years in federal prison and Lang faces up to 20 years at the Aug. 14 sentencing.
HUNTINGTON - Two men - one a former Marshall University football player - admitted to their roles in a heroin distribution conspiracy that lasted for two years in Huntington.
Mark Steven Bush Jr., 29, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Former Thundering Herd strong safety Tiquan Lang, 22, of Port St. Joe, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin in federal court Monday, according to U.S. Attorney Carol Casto.
The pair had been named in an 11-count indictment in December 2016 with six other alleged participants.
Marshall Sports Information Director Jason Corriher declined to comment on the plea Tuesday.
Lang admitted he participated in the conspiracy in early 2015 by permitting multiple individuals to distribute heroin from his apartment in the 1900 block of 7th Avenue in Huntington. Lang also would receive and distribute heroin when directed.
On Feb. 4, 2015, agents with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at his apartment and seized two firearms and a set of digital scales.
Lang was interviewed by agents two days after the raid and he admitted to possessing one firearm and to making multiple distributions of heroin on behalf of others, according to a plea form filed in federal court.
As per the plea agreement, the total amount of heroin attributable to Lang is less than 10 grams.
The former strong safety played for the Herd through the 2015 season and had a heavy hand in Marshall's 41-31 season-opening win over Purdue with 17 tackles and two interceptions for touchdowns. Despite injuries plaguing his performance for most the season, Lang was still named a Conference USA honorable mention player.
In April 2016, he was arrested on DUI and gun charges after Huntington police found him asleep in a running vehicle, but he remained on the team until Marshall dismissed him in August 2016 for "violation of team rules and policies."
Bush admitted from November 2014 to June 8, 2016, he conspired with a group who sold heroin on his behalf or rented or purchased cars for him in their name, stored heroin and guns for him, or transferred drug trafficking proceeds for him.
During the conspiracy, those selling heroin for Bush received heroin on consignment. Bush would later receive proceeds from the sales. Others aided Bush by titling his cars in their names in exchange for payments of heroin. Those individuals also would transport Bush for heroin transactions.
Bush would use another individual to make trips to Detroit to deliver money and transport heroin and oxymorphone pills back to Huntington. He would store and distribute the drugs at various homes in the Huntington area.
In a law enforcement search at a home in the 700 block of Oxford Drive in Huntington, approximately 85 grams of heroin and four firearms were seized, all of which Bush admitted to possessing.
Bush faces five to 20 years in federal prison and Lang faces up to 20 years at the Aug. 14 sentencing.
