Joshua McCarver, Fentanyl Distribution, WV 2023

United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced the sentencing of Detroit, Michigan native Joshua McCarver, 20, for the distribution of fentanyl in Huntington, West Virginia. McCarver was handed an 18-month prison term by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

“No connections to West Virginia except selling drugs,” Stuart stated. “We will continue to prosecute every fentanyl case and fight back against out-of-state drug dealers like McCarver.”

The investigation leading to McCarver’s conviction was conducted by the Huntington Police Department, with Stuart commending their efforts.

McCarver had previously pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing fentanyl. His illegal activities were uncovered when officers from the Huntington Police Department’s Special Emphasis Unit conducted a controlled buy of heroin, which was confirmed to be fentanyl by the West Virginia State Police Lab. Another buy involving fentanyl took place in January 2018.

“The Court noted that McCarver had no connections to West Virginia and came to sell drugs,” Stuart emphasized. “He’s the type of drug dealer from big cities like Detroit and Columbus that this community fears.”

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman prosecuted the case, which was part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), aimed at reducing the supply of synthetic opioids in high-impact areas.

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