ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA - Jesse David Tolson and Melissa Ann Slayton, both of Elkins, West Virginia, are facing drug charges, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Tolson, 34, and Slayton, 35, were each indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine." Tolson was also indicted on two counts of “Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Fifty Grams of Methamphetamine" and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin." Slayton is also facing one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Five Grams of Methamphetamine."
The two are accused of having more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in November and December 2019 in Randolph County. Tolson is also accused of having heroin in November 2019 in Randolph County.
Tolson faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10 million for each of the methamphetamine charges. He faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the heroin charge. Slayton faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10 million for the conspiracy charge. She faces at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration for the possession charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
