CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael Terrell, 31, of Smithers, West Virginia, is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after admitting today he was running a methamphetamine distribution operation out of his home. The guilty plea comes after a dogged investigation by the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, revealing a clear pattern of drug dealing.
Terrell pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. According to court documents, on December 8, 2015, agents raided Terrell’s Smithers residence and discovered over 160 grams of the highly addictive drug. This wasn’t a stash for personal use; the evidence pointed directly to a full-blown trafficking operation.
The bust was the culmination of a carefully constructed case. Prior to the search warrant execution, undercover agents utilized a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine directly from Terrell at his residence on two separate occasions – December 3rd and December 6th, 2015. These controlled buys established the necessary proof to secure the warrant and bring Terrell down.
Adding insult to injury, the raid also uncovered approximately $10,000 in cash. Crucially, a portion of this money was identified as prerecorded buy money used in the earlier controlled purchases, solidifying the link between Terrell and the illegal drug trade. This wasn’t just drug money; it was proven drug money.
United States Attorney Carol Casto announced the guilty plea, emphasizing that Terrell now faces up to 20 years in federal prison when sentenced on August 10, 2017. Assistant United States Attorney John Frail is prosecuting the case, determined to see justice served in this clear example of blatant disregard for the law.
This case is part of a larger, ongoing initiative by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to dismantle drug trafficking networks and stem the flow of illegal substances like methamphetamine throughout the region. The office, alongside its federal, state, and local partners, remains committed to aggressively targeting drug dealers and protecting communities from the ravages of addiction. Follow SDWVNews on Twitter for updates.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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