Detroit’s “G” Pleads Guilty To West Virginia Federal Drug Trafficking 

Friday, August 1, 2025, 12:30 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- On Tuesday, a 30-year-old Detroit, Michigan, man, a known West Virginia drug dealer, learned that he will be facing up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in early November, after pleading guilty to federal drug crimes.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Rakai Travall Hawkins, also known as “G,” 30, of Detroit, Michigan, 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 Methamphetamine; and Possession with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl.

When Sentenced, Hawkins Is Facing Up To 40 Years In Prison

     Following entering his guilty plea on Tuesday, Judge Chambers accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for November 3, 2025. At that time, Hawkins faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. At sentencing, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offenses and Hawkins’ prior criminal history.

     According to charging documents and statements made during Tuesday’s plea hearing, on September 24, 2024, during a narcotics investigation into Hawkins’ narcotics trafficking activities, local, state, and federal Investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at a 7th Street residence in Huntington, West Virginia.

     During the search, Investigators located and seized around 211 grams of fentanyl, 484 grams of methamphetamine, 12 grams of crack cocaine, and a fully loaded stolen SCCY 9mm handgun. During his plea allocution, Hawkins admitted that he stored the controlled substances, that the substances belonged to him, and that he intended to distribute the illicit narcotics for money. Hawkins further admitted that he had possessed the stolen firearm to protect the controlled substances and the proceeds from selling them.

Hawkins Admits To Additional Drug Crimes

     Additionally, during his plea allocution on Tuesday, Hawkins admitted to other criminal conduct on July 24, 2024, Hawkins had been a passenger in a vehicle when members of the Huntington Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in Huntington, West Virginia. During a search of the vehicle, Police Officers found around 7 grams of fentanyl and 7.5 grams of crack cocaine. Hawkins admitted to possessing the substances and that he intended to distribute them.

     On two occasions between August 24, 2024, and September 4, 2024, Hawkins sold a total of 58 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Huntington, West Virginia. On four occasions between August 13, 2024, and September 19, 2024, Hawkins sold a total of around 7.15 grams of fentanyl in Huntington, West Virginia. During one of the sales, Hawkins received the SCCY 9mm handgun for payment from one of his drug customers. Hawkins further admitted to the four transactions and receiving the stolen firearm.

     Acting U.S. Attorney Johnston commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department, which led to Tuesday’s guilty plea by Hawkins.