Meth & Fentanyl Flight: Lambert Faces 20 Years

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Joshua James Lambert, 33, of St. Albans, is facing up to two decades behind bars after admitting to intent to distribute both fentanyl and methamphetamine. The plea comes after a brazen flight from West Virginia State Police that ended with Lambert ditching a loaded handgun and fleeing on foot.

The incident unfolded on September 23, 2020, when a trooper attempted a traffic stop on Lambert’s motorcycle along Route 25 near Institute. Instead of complying, Lambert gunned the engine, initiating a high-speed chase reaching a dangerous 90 mph. The ride ended abruptly when Lambert lost control attempting a turn, crashing the motorcycle.

But Lambert wasn’t done running. He abandoned the wreck and took off on foot, clutching a small black pistol. He quickly discarded the Raven Arms, MP-25, .25 caliber semi-automatic – unloaded, thankfully – before being apprehended by the trooper. A search of Lambert revealed several small packages containing suspected controlled substances.

Lab tests at the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed the packages held both methamphetamine and fentanyl. Lambert confessed to intending to sell the drugs, cementing the federal charges against him. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.

United States Attorney William S. Thompson announced the guilty plea, praising the collaborative investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2022, before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory McVey and Julie White are prosecuting the case. Court documents related to Case No. 2:21-cr-00192 are available on PACER, and a copy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia press release can be found on their website. Lambert’s actions have landed him in a world of hurt, and the Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it closes.