Detroit’s “Black Rob” Pleads Guilty To West Virginia Narcotics Distribution

Monday, January 27, 2025, 8:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- Today, January 27, 2025, Robert Earl Cureton, Jr., also known as “Black Rob,” 40, 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 Distribution of Methamphetamine.

     According to U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and documents filed with the District Court, on January 12, 2024, Cureton sold around 54 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on the 2400 Block of Collis Avenue in Huntington, West Virginia, during a controlled buy under the observation of investigators of the Huntington Police Department. 

     During today’s plea hearing, Cureton admitted selling the methamphetamine to the confidential informant and further admitted to arranging the sale beforehand.

Cureton Admits To Selling Methamphetamine

     Cureton also admitted to selling around 18.6 grams of fentanyl for $1,300 on November 9, 2023, and approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $380 on December 7, 2023, each time to a confidential informant in the area of the 2400 Block of Collis Avenue in Huntington.

     On November 26, 2024, Cureton traveled by a Greyhound bus from Detroit, Michigan, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then took a rideshare vehicle from Cincinnati to Huntington, West Virginia. Cureton admitted that while traveling, he possessed a suitcase that contained around 5.08 kilograms of methamphetamine. While traveling, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the rideshare vehicle in which Cureton was a passenger in the 900 Block of 7th Avenue in Huntington and arrested Cureton on a warrant for the previous controlled buys.

     During the arrest procedure, investigators seized the suitcase containing methamphetamine and around $4,566 from Cureton’s pockets. He admitted that the cash was proceeds from methamphetamine sales.

     Following entering his guilty plea today, Judge Chambers accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for May 12, 2025, at which time he faces up to 20 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. At sentencing, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Cureton’s prior criminal history.