James Lavan, Heroin Possession with Intent to Distribute, West Virginia 2019

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Cleveland man has been handed a tough sentence for his role in a heroin trafficking operation in West Virginia.

James Lavan, 45, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Lavan admitted that on June 12, 2019, members of the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant on his girlfriend’s vehicle. Over 70 grams of heroin were seized from his tool bag in the truck, along with two firearms.

Lavan admitted that he intended to sell the heroin, and the discovery of the firearms added to the severity of the crime. The case was investigated by the ATF, the Charleston Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston praised the investigative work of the agencies involved, saying, ‘The sentencing of James Lavan serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in heroin trafficking in our community.’

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Nowles Heinrich, Jeremy B. Wolfe, and former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders handled the prosecution.

The case is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against heroin trafficking in West Virginia. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this and other cases to keep our readers informed of the latest developments in the fight against crime.

To read more about this case, visit the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, where a copy of the press release is located. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-00233.

Related Federal Cases