Beckley Man Pleads Guilty To Major Role In Drug Trafficking Organization
Thursday, October 24, 2024, 3:40 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BECKLEY, W.VA.- Today, October 24, 2024, Ronald Lavaughn Mason, 46, of Beckley, West Virginia, appeared in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl; and Conspiracy to Crack Cocaine.
During today’s plea hearing, Mason admitted to playing a pivotal role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine in Beckley and surrounding areas in the Southern District of West Virginia.
According To Charges
According to documents filed with the court, in April and May 2024, Mason participated in and played a key role in a drug trafficking organization, working with other individuals to distribute quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine in and around Beckley, West Virginia. Mason further admitted that he supplied other individuals with controlled substances that they would repackage and then redistribute.
Mason admitted to delivering the controlled substance to these individuals at times, and at other times, Mason would have them come by his Beckley home and pick up the controlled substances.
On April 9, 2024, Mason sold co-defendant Tilford Joe Bradley, Jr. a half-ounce of a controlled substance while the two were in Mason’s vehicle in Beaver, Pennsylvania. Mason again admitted that law enforcement officers, while conducting surveillance, saw him meet Bradley for the transaction and that he knew Bradley intended to redistribute the controlled substance.
Mason further admitted during today’s hearing that he knew investigators intercepted phone conversations and text messages in May 2024 in which he communicated with others about distributing controlled substances.
Search Warrant Executed
On May 30, 2024, Local, State, and Federal officers executed a court-authorized search warrant at Mason’s Beckley home. During the search, officers uncovered and seized 541 grams of cocaine, 381 grams of fentanyl, and $10,293 in cash, consistent with illicit narcotics sales. Mason finally admitted that he possessed the seized substances and intended to distribute them.
Following his plea allocution, Judge Aboulhosn accepted Mason’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for February 14, 2025, at which time Mason faces up to 20 years in federal at least three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine.
Mason is among a group of 12 individuals who were indicted on charges alleging the defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine within the Southern District of West Virginia beginning in and around June 2023 and lasting through May 2024. Mason is among three defendants who have pleaded guilty. The charges against Bradley and the other eight defendants are pending.
“This case and the convictions secured so far are the results of a major investigation that disrupted a significant drug trafficking operation in the Beckley area and represent how this office and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly and together to protect our communities,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson.
