“Reala Deala” Faces 20 Years for Huntington Fentanyl Deal

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Another dealer pushing poison onto the streets of Huntington has fallen. Robert Curtis Denham, 36, known on the streets as “Reala Deala” and “RD,” pleaded guilty today to one count of distribution of fentanyl, a charge carrying a hefty potential sentence. The guilty plea comes after an investigation that snagged Denham peddling deadly drugs last October.

According to court documents unsealed today, on October 30, 2024, Denham completed a deal with a confidential informant inside a Huntington apartment. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment transaction; Denham admitted in court to pre-planning the sale. But the scope of his operation extends beyond that single deal. Prosecutors successfully argued that additional quantities of fentanyl can be directly linked to Denham’s criminal activity, bolstering the case against him.

This bust is a small victory in a city that’s been ravaged by the opioid crisis for years. Huntington, like so many communities across West Virginia and the nation, has seen firsthand the devastating impact of fentanyl. While one dealer off the streets won’t solve the problem, it sends a message – and hopefully disrupts the supply chain.

Denham is now facing the consequences. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on October 20, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers. The maximum penalty? A staggering 20 years behind bars, followed by at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. It’s a steep price, but one that reflects the severity of the crime and the damage fentanyl inflicts.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the guilty plea, praising the relentless work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the dedicated officers of the Huntington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting the case, building a solid case based on solid police work.

For those seeking more details, a copy of the press release is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia. Court documents and case information can also be found on PACER, under Case No. 3:25-cr-47. This case serves as a stark reminder that the Grimy Times will continue to follow and report on the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in West Virginia and beyond.