Huntington Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Fentanyl Distribution

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man is headed to prison for his role in distributing massive amounts of fentanyl in the community.

Frank W. Basenback, 37, of Huntington, was sentenced today to 8 years and 4 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Basenback sold approximately 56 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant on August 8, 2023, in exchange for $1,000. He admitted to the transaction and further admitted that he had agreed beforehand to sell heroin to the confidential informant.

But that wasn’t all – Basenback also admitted to selling a total of approximately 243 grams of fentanyl to confidential informants at the same location for a total of $4,000 during separate occasions on August 23, 2023, and September 4, 2023.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Basenback’s Haynie Road residence on September 14, 2023, and found approximately $42,892 in the residence and approximately 2 kilograms of fentanyl in a truck parked outside. Officers also found $711 on Basenback’s person. Basenback admitted that he possessed and intended to distribute the seized fentanyl, and further admitted that the seized cash and $14,608.69 in his bank account were drug proceeds from selling fentanyl.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney L. Finney and Joseph F. Adams prosecuted the case.