James Garner, Methamphetamine Distribution, West Virginia 2025

A Detroit man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a Huntington-area drug trafficking organization.

James Garner, also known as 'Jake,' 35, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Garner sold approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $350 on January 17, 2025. He also admitted to selling approximately 51 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $350 on January 22, 2025, and approximately 336 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $2,400 on February 21, 2025.

Garner admitted that he conducted both transactions at the Baer Street residence in Huntington, and that co-defendant Joshua Willie McCarver directed the confidential informant to the residence in each instance.

On May 31, 2025, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop in Huntington of a vehicle in which Garner was a passenger. Garner admitted that he exited the vehicle during the traffic stop and discarded a bag containing approximately 459 grams of methamphetamine near the front passenger side of the vehicle.

Garner is among 10 defendants indicted on charges alleging they participated in the DTO. Five defendants pleaded guilty, including Garner. The charges against McCarver, also known as 'TJ,' 27, of Detroit, Michigan, and the other defendants remain pending.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Cabell County Sheriff's Office, the Mason County Sheriff's Office, and the Huntington Police Department.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/detroit-man-sentenced-prison-role-huntington-area-drug-trafficking-organization