Huntington Dealer Jones Gets Half-Year for Fentanyl

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Another street-level dealer is off the streets of Huntington after Melvin Pearson Jones, 40, received a six-month federal prison sentence today for peddling fentanyl. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers, is a small victory in a city drowning in opioid addiction, but barely scratches the surface of the problem.

According to court documents, Jones willingly sold a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant on August 3, 2023, right out of his Huntington apartment. The deal went down for a quick $300, and Jones readily admitted to pre-arranging the transaction. This wasn’t a one-off, either. Less than a week later, on August 9th, Jones moved approximately 6.11 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mix to the same informant, continuing his brazen operation.

The feds weren’t blind to Jones’ activities. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), working alongside the Huntington Police Department, built the case that ultimately led to his conviction. While the amount of fentanyl involved may seem small to some, it’s enough to kill. And in a town like Huntington, every gram counts.

U.S. Attorney Will Thompson, predictably, praised the work of the ATF and Huntington PD. “This sentence should serve as a reminder that those who profit from poisoning our communities will be held accountable,” Thompson stated. But accountability often feels hollow when the supply chain continues to flow, and larger players remain untouched.

Jones will serve his six-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release – a period where he’ll be monitored, but still free to potentially re-enter the illicit drug trade. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case, navigating the complex legal landscape to secure the conviction. The case number is 3:24-cr-1, available for review on PACER.

This case, like so many others in the Southern District of West Virginia, underscores the relentless battle against fentanyl and the devastating impact it has on communities. While Jones is behind bars, the demand remains, and the streets of Huntington will continue to offer opportunities for others to fill the void. A full press release is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.

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