CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two men from Charleston have been locked away for their roles in a ruthless methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that terrorized the city. Kirt Ray King, 48, was sentenced to serve six years and six months behind bars, followed by eight years of supervised release, after being found guilty of conspiring to distribute at least 500 grams of meth and violating his supervised release terms. John Wayne Harkless, 47, faced even tougher penalties with an eight-year prison term, plus three years of supervision, for conspiracy to traffic the deadly substance.
King’s reign of terror stretched from January to May 2024, during which he conspired with others in a drug trafficking organization (DTO). His downfall came when he sold meth to an informant on nine separate occasions. The investigation revealed that King was responsible for distributing roughly 11 pounds of meth and supplying several individuals, including fellow DTO members. The court also noted his prior 2004 convictions for drug-related crimes.
Harkless’s criminal history is a tale of repeated offense. With over 23 convictions across four states, Harkless was found to have distributed nearly three pounds of meth personally. His role in the DTO was confirmed by investigators who traced the drugs back to King.
King and Harkless are part of a group of four individuals indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in the DTO. All pleaded guilty, with Anthony Michael Mowery and Michael Dale Cain also receiving prison sentences for their involvement.
The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin, with Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuting the case. The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a program designed to dismantle major drug trafficking organizations. OCDETF combines federal agencies and local law enforcement to protect public safety.
For more information on this high-profile case, visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia website or search PACER for Case No [INSERT CASE NUMBER].
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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