Rory White, Heroin-Oxycodone Distribution, W.Va. 2024

BECKLEY, W.Va. — Rory White, 34, of Montgomery, known as “Dub,” pleaded guilty today to his role in a sprawling federal drug conspiracy that flooded Fayette County with heroin and oxycodone. White admitted to distributing approximately 900 grams of heroin and 5,400 thirty mg oxycodone tablets to co-conspirators, including Cheyenne Fragale, knowing they would resell the drugs on the streets of Southern West Virginia.

The charges stem from a June 2017 indictment that snared 23 defendants after a sweeping investigation into regional drug trafficking operations. White admitted participating in the conspiracy from October 2016 until June 28, 2017, helping to fuel a deadly opioid epidemic that has ravaged communities across the Southern District of West Virginia. He now faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 6, 2018.

U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart hailed the coordinated takedown as a direct hit against organized pill and heroin networks. “The teamwork that law enforcement demonstrated to complete this investigation is outstanding,” Stuart said. “I can assure you that we will keep working together as a team to hold drug criminals accountable and take back our communities from this drug epidemic.”

The probe was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, with critical support from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Beckley Police Department, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, West Virginia State Police, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The collaboration spanned jurisdictions and agencies, dismantling a network that operated with brazen impunity.

Multiple co-defendants have already entered guilty pleas. Cheyenne Fragale and Macon Fragale, brothers from Boomer, face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison at their March 14, 2018 sentencing. Velarian Carter of Beckley faces not less than 20 years, up to life, on April 17. Dominic Copney and Detria Carter, both of Beckley, face five to 40 years each, with sentencings on April 17 and April 24, respectively. Donald Scalise of Montgomery faces up to 20 years on April 25. Tiffany Ramsey of Boomer faces five to 40 years on May 2. Shawn Akiem Anderson of Mt. Hope faces up to 10 years on May 29.

Karl Funderburk of Teays Valley, who previously pled guilty to a firearms charge, faces at least 5 years and up to life for using a gun during a drug trafficking crime, with sentencing also set for May 29. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the cases, which are being handled by U.S. District Judge Irene C. Berger. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues its aggressive push to dismantle pill mills, shut down open-air markets, and choke off the supply of illegal narcotics in the region.