Randolph County Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Trafficking

Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 8:15 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

CLARKSBURG, W.VA.- On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, William Durnal, 60, of Elkins, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi to Distribution of Methamphetamine; and Possession of Methamphetamine.

     According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and charging documents filed with the court, during an investigation into narcotics distribution within the Northern District of West Virginia, Durnal was identified as a member of a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for supplying large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine throughout Morgantown, West Virginia.

     During an investigation in a separate case, members of the Mon Metro Drug Task Force and the Mountain Region Task Force obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant at Durnal’s Eklins residence, where investigators uncovered hundreds of grams of methamphetamine. 

Durnal Admits Guilt To Drug Trafficking

     During Tuesday’s plea hearing, Durnal admitted to his role in the drug trafficking organization and that he was responsible for selling and distributing large quantities of illicit narcotics in the Randolph County area, specifically Morgantown, West Virginia.

     After entering his plea, Judge Aloi accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for a time and date to be determined by the U.S. District Court. When sentenced, Durnal faces a minimum of ten years and up to life in federal prison.

     U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld commended the investigative work of the Mon Metro Drug Task Force and the Mountain Region Task Force for the investigation leading to Durnal’s guilty plea.