Leon Eugene Smith, Jr., Heroin Distribution, West Virginia 2022

BECKLEY, W.Va. – In a shocking turn of events, a Beckley man pleaded guilty to distributing heroin in Raleigh County. According to court documents and statements made in court, Leon Eugene Smith, Jr., 41, admitted to selling the illicit substance to a confidential informant.

The incident took place on September 15, 2020, when Smith sold approximately 0.5 grams of heroin to a confidential informant in Lanark, Raleigh County, for $80. This was not an isolated incident, as Smith further admitted to selling approximately 1.3 grams of heroin on September 17, 2020, and approximately 1 gram of heroin on September 23, 2020, each time to a confidential informant in Lenark for $160.

Smith’s guilty plea has significant implications, as he now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. The court will schedule a sentencing hearing on August 5, 2022, to determine the final outcome of the case.

The investigation into Smith’s activities was led by the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police. United States Attorney Will Thompson commended the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved, stating that their work was crucial in bringing Smith to justice.

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing, while Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller is prosecuting the case. The case number is 5:21-cr-184, and related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for this case number.

The defendant’s name is Leon Eugene Smith, Jr., a 41-year-old resident of Beckley, West Virginia. The exact charges against him include distribution of heroin. The city and state where the crime took place are Beckley, West Virginia.

The date of the crime is September 15, 2020. Smith’s sentence or outcome includes a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. The dollar amount involved in the case is $80 for 0.5 grams of heroin, and $320 for the total amount of heroin sold ($160 for 1.3 grams and $160 for 1 gram).

This case is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against heroin distribution in West Virginia. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

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