Samuel Manriquez, Fentanyl Crime, West Virginia 2021

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a fentanyl crime. Samuel Manriquez, 37, of Cross Lanes, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The sentencing hearing took place today in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Charleston residence where Manriquez was hiding to evade arrest on February 17, 2021. Manriquez refused to surrender, and after several hours, was removed from a crawl space beneath the residence’s basement floor. Officers found two bags of fentanyl totaling approximately 6.3 grams and $1,620 in Manriquez’s left pants pocket.

Manriquez admitted that he intended to distribute some of the fentanyl found on his person. The investigation also revealed that Manriquez had a prior history of violent behavior, including striking a female guest in the side of her head with his fist during an argument on January 8, 2021. Officers executed a search warrant at Manriquez’s residence and found a Walther HK MP5 .22-caliber rifle, a Ruger .22-caliber pistol, parts to a Hi-Point .45-caliber pistol, $4,680 and drug paraphernalia including a scale and aluminum foil with a white powder residue.

Manriquez was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his felony convictions for distribution of U-47700, an opioid, and distribution of U-47700, and furanyl fentanyl in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on November 1, 2019. United States Attorney Will Thompson commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-176.

Manriquez’s sentence marks another significant victory in the ongoing fight against fentanyl trafficking in West Virginia. The state continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, and law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.

The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions. As the investigation continues, it is clear that Manriquez’s actions had severe consequences for his community and the individuals affected by his crimes.

Manriquez’s full name is Samuel Manriquez, and he is 37 years old. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The city and state where the crime took place is Charleston, West Virginia. The exact date of the sentencing is not specified, but the crime date is February 17, 2021. The sentence is four years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

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