Charleston Man Pleads Guilty Federal Methamphetamine Crime
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 9:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- On Monday, a 43-year-old Charleston, West Virginia, man learned he could be facing up to 40 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing and distributing methamphetamine and deadly fentanyl throughout the Charleston, West Virginia, area.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on Monday, March 10, 2025, Jason Lorel Minter, 43, of Charleston, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of a Substance Containing Methamphetamine and 40 Grams or More of a Substance Containing Fentanyl.
Following entering his guilty plea on Monday, Judge Chambers accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for June 23, 2025. At that time, Minter 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. At sentencing, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Minter’s prior criminal history.
According to the charging information filed with the District Court, on September 10, 2024, during an ongoing illicit narcotics investigation, law enforcement investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at Minter’s Charleston, West Virginia residence.
Investigators Find And Seize Drugs And Guns
During the search, investigators uncovered and seized 126.8 grams of fentanyl, 312.7 grams of methamphetamine, 490 grams of marijuana, a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun, a loaded Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol, and $1,522 in U.S. currency in denominations consistent drug sales. During Monday’s plea allocution, Minter admitted to possessing the controlled substances and had intended to distribute them.
Acting U.S. Attorney Johnston commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, which led to Minter’s guilty plea on Monday.
