William Edward Byers II, Possessing Firearms as a Convicted Felon, West Virginia 2021

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a shocking turn of events, a Charleston man has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for violating West Virginia’s gun laws. William Edward Byers II, 44, of Charleston, was found guilty of possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Byers’ Charleston residence on February 10, 2021, and located five firearms. Byers is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2016 felony conviction in Kanawha County Circuit Court for conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver methamphetamine.

Byers’ crime is part of a larger investigation, dubbed the ‘Woo Boyz,’ which has charged 15 individuals federally. United States Attorney William S. Thompson praised the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) for their role in the case.

The investigation was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a program established in 1982 to combat major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence on Byers. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman prosecuted the case. The U.S. Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police provided assistance during the investigation.

Byers’ sentencing is a significant blow to the ‘Woo Boyz’ organization, which has been linked to various crimes in the Charleston area. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to dismantle the organization and bring those responsible to justice.

The case highlights the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to combat crime in West Virginia. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program has been instrumental in disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, and this case is a prime example of its effectiveness.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00047.

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