Kyle L. Thomas, Fentanyl Distribution, West Virginia 2021

In a shocking turn of events, a Detroit man has pleaded guilty to the distribution of a quantity of fentanyl in West Virginia. Kyle L. Thomas, also known as ‘Trip,’ 22, admitted to selling a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant in Amigo, Raleigh County, on October 18, 2021.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Thomas sold a quantity of fentanyl to the informant, which led to his arrest and subsequent charges. The case is a result of a months-long investigation dubbed ‘Operation Wolverine Carousel,’ an investigation into the wide-spread distribution of heroin and fentanyl in Raleigh and Fayette Counties.

The investigation was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a program established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement to disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations.

Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on September 2, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. The FBI and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit (BRCDVCU) were commended for their work in conducting the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell is prosecuting the case, with United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presiding over the hearing. This case is a prime example of the efforts of law enforcement to combat the opioid epidemic and bring those responsible to justice.

The case highlights the importance of community cooperation in fighting crime, and the dedication of law enforcement to protecting the public. Thomas’s guilty plea is a significant step in the right direction, and we hope that this case will serve as a deterrent to others who would seek to engage in similar activities.

As the Grimy Times continues to report on the latest developments in this case, we will provide updates on Thomas’s sentencing and any additional information that becomes available.

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