John Ladelle Puryear, Cocaine and Fentanyl Trafficking, West Virginia 2025

Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

A Huntington man has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a federal drug crime. John Ladelle Puryear, 50, was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and cocaine base, also known as 'crack.'

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Puryear's apartment in Huntington on January 16, 2025. During the search, they seized approximately 299 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of fentanyl, and 8 grams of crack. Officers also found a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm pistol, a Colt MK IV Series 80 .45-caliber pistol, a Ruger LCF .380-caliber pistol, digital scales, and approximately $6,487.

Puryear pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted to possessing the seized controlled substances. United States Attorney Moore Capito commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case. The full details of the crime can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-125.

The defendant, John Ladelle Puryear, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and cocaine base, also known as 'crack.'

The city and state where the crime took place is Huntington, West Virginia.

The exact date of the crime is January 16, 2025.

The sentence or outcome of the case is five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

The dollar amount seized during the search is $6,487.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/huntington-man-sentenced-prison-federal-drug-crime-23