CHARLESTON, WV – Maylik Watson, 29, of Charleston, is headed to federal prison for two decades after admitting to his role in flooding the city with methamphetamine. Watson was sentenced today to 20 years behind bars, followed by a decade of supervised release, for distributing 50 grams or more of the highly addictive drug.
The bust stemmed from a July 6, 2020 deal where Watson peddled approximately 174.9 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $5,600. This wasn’t a lone transaction, however. Watson was linked to a larger, more sinister operation known as the “Woo Boyz,” a drug trafficking organization (DTO) with deep ties to the Bloods and Gangster Disciples gangs.
Federal investigators have been dismantling the “Woo Boyz” for over a year, and Watson is the latest of 12 individuals to plead guilty to charges related to the group’s activities. The DTO operated in Charleston from July 2020 through February 2021, funneling large quantities of meth into the area and preying on vulnerable residents. The investigation revealed a sophisticated network built to maximize profit and minimize risk.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson announced the sentencing, praising the collaborative effort of multiple law enforcement agencies. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) played a key role, alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Charleston Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Support was also provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, West Virginia State Police, and the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. handed down the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica D. Coleman led the prosecution, building a solid case based on evidence gathered during the extensive investigation. The case was brought under the umbrella of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency initiative designed to cripple major drug trafficking organizations.
This isn’t simply about one man and one deal. It’s a clear message to anyone involved in the distribution of deadly drugs in West Virginia: federal law enforcement is watching, and consequences will be severe. Court documents related to the case, including Case No. 2:21-cr-32, are available on PACER. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia has also posted a press release on their website detailing the sentencing.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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