BECKLEY, W.Va. – Justin Scott Keyes, 36, of Beckley, has entered a guilty plea in federal court for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy.
Court documents and statements reveal that between October 2024 and January 2025, Keyes conspired with another individual to sell drugs within the Southern District of West Virginia. According to Keyes, he and his co-conspirator sold over 12 grams of fentanyl four times, all transactions facilitated by a confidential informant.
Keyes confessed that the sales were conducted at his Beckley residence, where he lived with his co-conspirator. The co-conspirator was found to have communicated with the informant prior to each sale.
In a shocking discovery, law enforcement officers seized two firearms—a Ruger model EC9s 9mm pistol and a Taurus model G3c 9mm pistol—from Keyes’ residence on January 29, 2025. Keyes admitted that he traded drugs for the weapons.
Scheduled to be sentenced on January 9, 2026, Keyes faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the charges, commending the ATF and local law enforcement for their diligent work. The hearing was presided over by United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn, with Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin handling the prosecution.
For more information on this case, visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office website and search PACER for Case No. 5:25-cr-73.
Related Federal Cases
- Beckley trio pleads guilty in federal drug conspiracy · West Virginia
- Beckley Woman Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution · West Virginia
- Moundsville Resident Dubrowski Facing Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges · West Virginia
- Cleveland Drug Dealer Gets 18-Year Sentence for Heroin, Fentanyl Distribution · West Virginia
- Moundsville Resident Delauder Faces Marijuana Distribution Charges · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News