St. Albans Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl and Meth

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a gritty turn of events, Joshua James Lambert, 33, from St. Albans, has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges, according to court documents.

The September 23, 2020, incident on Route 25 near Institute saw Lambert try to evade law enforcement with a motorcycle chase that reached harrowing speeds of up to 90mph. The escapade ended with a crash and Lambert’s attempted escape, only to be apprehended by a trooper who recovered a small black pistol and several packages containing what would later test positive as methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Despite the firearm being unloaded, Lambert’s actions were deemed dangerous as he threw the Raven Arms, MP-25, .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol to the ground during his foot escape. The trooper, with the help of West Virginia State Police, apprehended Lambert and discovered the illegal substances on him.

Lambert’s guilty plea covers possession with intent to distribute both methamphetamine and fentanyl. He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison when sentenced on March 24, 2022, for his role in this dangerous drug trafficking operation.

The United States Attorney William S. Thompson announced the plea deal, commending the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police for their relentless pursuit of justice.

Presiding over the hearing was United States District Judge Irene C. Berger, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory McVey and Julie White handling the prosecution. For more information on this case, including related court documents, visit the Southern District of West Virginia’s website or PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00192.

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