Beckley Man Pleads Guilty For Role In Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Operation

Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 9:20 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BECKLEY, W.VA.- On Monday, November 25, 2024, Deona’tre Capri Dowell, 30, of Beckley, West Virginia, appeared in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl.

     During Monday’s plea allocution, Dowell admitted in court that he participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine throughout the Beckley and surrounding communities in the Southern District of West Virginia.

According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office

     According to U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and charging documents filed with the court, on May 25, 2024, Dowell received an ounce of fentanyl from a co-conspirator at his Beckley, West Virginia home. Dowell admitted that he had requested the fentanyl from the co-conspirator by phone earlier that day and discussed in length about adding a cutting agent to the fentanyl to increase the revenue during sales to pay back the co-conspirator.

     Dowell further admitted that he obtained additional amounts of fentanyl in May 2024 from his supplier on consignment and then would repackage the fentanyl and sell it to pay back his supplier.

     During the investigation, law enforcement officers obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant at Dowell’s Beckley residence. During the search, officers found and seized around 535 grams of methamphetamine, 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, a Romarm 7.62mm firearm, and a Glock .45-caliber handgun. During Monday’s plea hearing, Dowell also admitted to possessing the seized illicit narcotics and intended to distribute them.

     Following entering his guilty plea on Monday, Judge Aboulhosn accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for April 11, 2025, at which time Dowell faces up to 20 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.

     Dowell is among twelve individuals indicted on charges alleging the individuals conspired with each other to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine within the Southern District of West Virginia beginning in June 2023 and lasting through the time of their arrests in May 2024.