Huntington Meth Dealer Pettry Gets Seven Years

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jeremy Lee Pettry, 39, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today to seven years for peddling poison in the streets of Huntington. Pettry received the sentence from United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine – a substance tearing apart communities across West Virginia.

The bust originated on July 29, 2020, when Pettry brazenly sold 28.13 grams of methamphetamine directly to a confidential informant right here in Huntington. Less than two weeks later, on August 6, 2020, law enforcement didn’t just knock, they kicked in the door of Pettry’s residence on 25th Street. The search wasn’t pretty.

Officers uncovered a veritable drug stash: 2.21 grams of cocaine, 15.73 grams of heroin, and an additional 5.78 grams of methamphetamine. As if that wasn’t enough, a loaded revolver was also recovered. Pettry didn’t bother denying ownership. He admitted to possessing all the controlled substances with the clear intent to profit from their sale. But the July 29th deal wasn’t a one-off; Pettry confessed to moving approximately 30 ounces of methamphetamine in the months leading up to the raid.

“This sentence sends a clear message: those who profit from the destruction caused by drugs will be held accountable,” stated United States Attorney Will Thompson. While the statement sounds good, it’s the DEA agents on the ground doing the dirty work, and they deserve the real credit in this case. This wasn’t some high-level cartel operation, but a local dealer preying on vulnerable people.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor skillfully prosecuted the case, piecing together the evidence and securing the conviction. The details of this case, including court documents, are publicly accessible through PACER, under Case No. 3:21-cr-246. A full press release can also be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Seven years is a start, but it won’t solve the opioid crisis gripping this state. The flow of drugs continues, and dealers like Pettry are a dime a dozen. Grimy Times will continue to expose the underbelly of West Virginia’s drug trade, one arrest at a time. This case serves as a stark reminder that the fight is far from over.