Charleston Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Meth and Fentanyl Bust

Jason Lorel Minter, 44, of Charleston, West Virginia, has been given a stiff sentence for his role in a major methamphetamine and fentanyl bust. Minter was sentenced to 12 years and three months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and for violating supervised release.

A search warrant was executed at Minter’s residence on September 10, 2024, where law enforcement officers seized 126.8 grams of fentanyl, 312.7 grams of methamphetamine, 490 grams of marijuana, a loaded Taurus model G3 9mm pistol, a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber pistol, and $1,522. Minter admitted to possessing the seized controlled substances. The case is a stark reminder of the ongoing opioid crisis plaguing our nation.

At the time of this offense, Minter was serving a term of supervised release resulting from his convictions for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of cocaine base, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on January 28, 2004. Today’s sentence includes five years in prison for committing a crime while on supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department, and the South Charleston Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case. The sentence is a significant blow to Minter’s attempts to peddle his poison to the people of West Virginia.

The case is a clear example of the ongoing effort to combat the scourge of narcotics in our communities. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.