Homicide suspect indicted on drug charge

HUNTINGTON -- A man labeled by authorities as a prime suspect in a Huntington killing was indicted on unrelated crack cocaine charges this week.

Dwight McVernon Green, 18, of Huntington, was arrested on federal crack cocaine charges July 18. The formal indictment was filed Wednesday. It was a product of this week's grand jury.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston described Green as "a prime suspect, the main suspect" in the May 1 shooting death of Timothy Taylor. Her comments came at a July 23 court hearing. Green has not been charged in that case.

The three-count, federal indictment charged Green with distributing crack cocaine twice on July 11. Count three charges him with possessing with intent to distribute at least 5 grams of crack cocaine on July 18. All the crimes happened in Huntington, the indictment states.

Police stopped Green's vehicle July 18 in the 900 block of 2nd Street. West Virginia State Police Cpl. Michael Smith has testified Green spit a baggie out of his mouth. It contained about 10.6 grams of crack cocaine.

The distribution charges are connected to undercover buys July 11. Green sold about 1.2 grams of crack cocaine for $120, according to Smith.

The ongoing homicide investigation provided authorities with Green's photo to identify him as their suspect in the drug trafficking inquiry, Smith testified.

Police found the 23-year-old shooting victim's body about 1:40 a.m. May 1 near 9th Avenue and 19th Street. The Detroit native was shot in the head.

Witnesses tell detectives that Green took credit for Timothy Taylor's death. They recall Green getting a gun from a residence and being with the victim prior to his death. Another witness remembers Green saying "I got him" after the shooting, Smith testified.

Witness information also tells police that Green was present when somebody threw away the alleged murder weapon, Smith testified.

Green told police at the July 18 traffic stop that he would take the hit on the drug charge, but he would not answer any questions about Taylor's death, Smith testified.

Green is being detained at the Boyd County Detention Center in Catlettsburg, Ky.