Detroit Methamphetamine Kingpin Sentenced In West Virginia Drug Case

Friday, October 18, 2024, 6:30 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Derrell Cashawn Massey, also known as “Rell” and “Fat Rell,” 34, of Detroit, Michigan, appeared in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers to 240 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for his role in transporting illicit narcotics into West Virginia.

     Massey had previously pleaded guilty to the Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. Massey further admitted to his leading role in an illicit narcotics trafficking organization that was responsible for transporting large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Michigan to be sold and distributed throughout the Southern District of West Virginia.

Massey Admits To Narcotics Crimes

     According to documents filed with the court and statements made during Tuesday’s sentencing hearing. On May 3, 2023, Massey distributed just around one pound of methamphetamine to a confidential informant during a controlled buy from a Ninth Street residence in Huntington, West Virginia, where Massey was staying.

     Prior to the purchase, the confidential informant called Massey to arrange the purchase and agreed to pay Massey $2,000 in return for the methamphetamine.

     In court, Massey admitted to the transaction and further admitted to participating as a key player in a drug trafficking organization from November 2022 through November 2023. Massey’s role included arranging for quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl to be transported from Detroit, Michigan, into Huntington, West Virginia, for distribution throughout Huntington and surrounding communities.

     Massey confirmed he also distributed at least 30 pounds of methamphetamine to a specific customer in Nitro, West Virginia, and directed other people to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl to numerous customers. Massey further admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of 8.6 pounds of methamphetamine on ten separate occasions between February 27, 2023, and September 7, 2023.

     Massey and others in the drug trafficking organization utilized multiple residences to store and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, including Massey’s Ninth Street residence in Huntington. On September 12, 2023, during the execution of a court-authorized search warrant, investigators found and seized six 9mm semiautomatic handguns from inside Massey’s Ninth Street home.

Massey Named In Indictment

     Massey is among 27 others who were indicted in a 53-count federal indictment that charges the defendants with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl from a distribution hub in Detroit into Huntington and surrounding communities in West Virginia. Massey is also among 21 defendants who have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in the case. Another of the 27 individuals indicted has pleaded guilty to a related charge in a separate case. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending.

     U.S. Attorney Will Thompson commended the efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that led to the indictment, convictions, and subsequent federal prison sentences.