Thursday, February 13, 2025

West Virginia Man Admits Guilt

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Charleston Man Pleads Guilty Distributing Methamphetamine

Thursday, February 13, 2025, 6:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

CHARLESTON, W.VA.- A 27-year-old Charleston, West Virginia man is facing up to 40 years in federal prison after pleading guilty yesterday to selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant early last year out of his Charleston, West Virginia home.

     According to U.S. Attorney Will Thompson, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Justin Saunders, 27, of Charleston, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston to Distribution of 50 Grams or More of a Substance Containing Methamphetamine.

Saunders Faces Up To 40 Years In Federal Prison

     Following entering his guilty plea, Judge Johnston accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for June 9, 2025. At that time, Saunders faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a $5 million fine. When sentenced, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Saunders’ prior criminal history, if any.

     The guilty plea stems from an investigation that began on February 3, 2024, when Saunders sold 896 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential source. Following the transaction, on February 4, 2024, law enforcement investigators obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant at Saunders’ home. During the search, investigators located and seized quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and metonitazene, a synthetic opioid.

     During Wednesday’s plea allocution, Saunders admitted to selling the methamphetamine to the confidential source, and the transaction occurred at his residence on the 1400 Block of Quarrier Street in Charleston, West Virginia.

Art Fletcher
Art Fletcher
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