Huntington Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Narcotics Offense

Thursday, September 11, 2025, 7:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- A 49-year-old Huntington, West Virginia, man will be facing up to 20 years when sentenced early next year, after pleading guilty on Monday, in Federal Court in Huntington, West Virginia, to distributing quantities of crack cocaine and fentanyl throughout the Huntington, West Virginia, area.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on Monday, September 8, 2025, John Ladelle Puryear, 49, of Huntington, 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 Controlled Substances, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, and Fentanyl.

     Following entering his guilty plea, Judge Chambers accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for January 12, 2025. At that time, Puryear faces a mandatory minimum of five years, and up to 20 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

According To The Charging Information Filed With The Court

     According to the charging information filed with the District Court, on January 16, 2025, during an ongoing narcotics investigation, law enforcement Investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at Puryear’s Huntington, West Virginia, residence. During the search, Investigators located and seized around 299 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of fentanyl, and an additional 8 grams of crack cocaine. 

     Additionally, Investigators seized a Smith and Wesson .9mm handgun, a Colt .45 caliber pistol, a Ruger .380 semi-automatic handgun, digital scales, and around $6,487 in U.S. currency, in denominations consistent with narcotics sales.

     During his plea allocution on Monday, Puryear admitted to the court that he possessed the controlled substance seized by Investigators. He further admitted that he possessed the seized firearms to protect the illicit narcotics and the proceeds from distributing them.

     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 the arrest and Monday’s guilty plea by Puryear.