Berkeley County Career Criminal Sentenced For Drug and Gun Crimes

Saturday, August 2, 2025, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

MARTINSBURG, W.VA.- On Thursday, a 38-year-old Martinsburg, West Virginia, man, and a career criminal, learned he will be nearly sixty years old when he gets out of prison, after being sentenced for federal firearms and narcotics offenses.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard, on Thursday, July 31, 2025, Travis Jackson Latta, 38, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Gina M. Groh to 235 months in federal prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Eutylone; and being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.

In Handing Down The Sentence Judge Groh Notes Latta’s Criminal History

     In handing down the sentence on Thursday, Judge Groh noted Latta’s extensive criminal history, including convictions for kidnapping, strangulation, brandishing a weapon, attempted murder, domestic battery, assault, and unlawful criminal restraint.

     According to charging documents and statements made during Thursday’s sentencing hearing, members of the Martinsburg Police Department were responding to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a domestic violence incident at a Martinsburg, West Virginia, residence. Upon arrival, Police Officers encountered Latta with a firearm. Latta was taken into custody, and a records check revealed that Latta had multiple prior felony convictions, prohibiting him from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Latta Is Also Senteced For Distributing Bath Salts

     During a separate investigation, Latta was also found to be in possession of eutylone, also known as “Boot,” and Bath Salts, a synthetic designer drug that mimics the effects of MDMA and Methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute.

     Acting U.S. Attorney Bernard commended the investigative work of the Martinsburg Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, which led to the successful prosecution of Latta.