James Richard Mathis, Methamphetamine Trafficking, West Virginia 2026

A Detroit man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation in West Virginia.

James Richard Mathis, 31, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, according to court documents and statements made in court.

The crime took place on August 3, 2024, when Mathis possessed over 90 grams of methamphetamine and over 20 grams of fentanyl in or near Dunbar, West Virginia, that he intended to distribute.

On January 5, 2026, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Mathis was a passenger after he retrieved a package delivered in Charleston that investigators had identified as suspicious.

Officers found more than a half-pound of methamphetamine and over 3 ounces of a mixture containing fentanyl in the vehicle. Investigators determined that Mathis had coordinated the shipment of the package from California in exchange for $2,600 and that it had contained 1 pound of methamphetamine, including the quantity found during the traffic stop.

Later that day, officers executed a search warrant at the Charleston residence where Mathis was staying and seized nearly an additional pound of methamphetamine and quantities of cocaine and cocaine base, also known as “crack.”

Mathis has a criminal history that includes prior convictions for unlawful wounding and controlled substances offenses.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the West Virginia State Police, and the South Charleston Police Department.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/detroit-man-sentenced-prison-federal-drug-crime-12