Cole Shannon McCourt Pleads Guilty to Four Felonies

A Webster Springs man entered guilty pleas to four felony drug offenses today before Circuit Judge Jack Alsop.

Cole Shannon McCourt

Cole Shannon McCourt, age 56, pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, one count of Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, one count of Manufacturing Marijuana, and one count of Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Deliver Marijuana and/or Methamphetamine. As part of his plea agreement, McCourt admitted that he has a prior felony drug offense that would subject him to double penalties on his current offenses. Based on his pleas and prior offense, McCourt faces a maximum possible sentence of not less than seven but not more than 35 years in prison.

McCourt also gave up any interest he has in $18,277.00 in cash seized from him when he was arrested. As part of the plea agreement, McCourt admitted that the $18,277.00 was "drug money." Prosecuting Attorney Dwayne Vandevender has already filed a forfeiture action regarding that money as well as property on which the drugs were found.

According to the original criminal complaint filed against McCourt, State Police officers on August 29, 2012 were conducting an aerial search for marijuana in the County. The State Police helicopter crew observed marijuana growing behind McCourt's residence at 665 Elk River Road, Webster Springs, West Virginia. State Police officer Bostic then received consent from McCourt to search his residence and a camp (the camp was located about four miles down along the Elk River from Webster Springs). Police found six marijuana plants at the residence, seven marijuana plants at the camp, one container of methamphetamine in the attic of the camp, one container of methamphetamine hidden in the woods behind the camp that McCourt admitted he had concealed, and $18,277.00 in cash. Bostic then recorded a statement from McCourt and McCourt's son that they had conspired together to grow the marijuana and had the intent to sell both the marijuana and methamphetamine.

McCourt remains incarcerated at the Central Regional Jail pending a pre-sentence report by the probation office and sentencing by Judge Alsop.