CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Ralph Weathington, Jr., 28, of Charleston, formerly of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 188 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Weathington was previously found guilty of each crime by a jury of his peers. Following his release from prison, he will serve 10 years of supervised release.
“Weathington was dealing meth, fentanyl and cocaine in Charleston," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “As a result of the excellent work of DEA, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Charleston Police Department, MDENT and my prosecutors, he won’t be peddling poisons in our community any longer."
Evidence presented during the jury trial established that on Jan. 22, 2018, the defendant met with a confidential informant working with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Charleston and sold the informant approximately two ounces of methamphetamine. Later, on Jan. 30, 2018, the defendant again met with a confidential informant on the West Side of Charleston and sold the informant approximately 3.5 grams of fentanyl. Finally, on May 22, 2019, the defendant was present at an apartment in Charleston when officers with the United States Marshals Service and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office discovered him holding a gray article of clothing that appeared to be wrapped around another object. The defendant was standing next to an open window as he held this object, and he threw it out the window when ordered by an officer to show his hands. An officer with the Charleston Police Department observed several objects falling from the window to the ground, and moved to secure the evidence which was found to be approximately 111 grams of methamphetamine, 18 grams of fentanyl, 27 grams of cocaine, United States currency, a silver weight used to calibrate a digital scale, a small shoebox and a gray sweatshirt. An officer with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) arrived on scene and collected the drug-related evidence. Then, with the assistance of other officers, the apartment was searched and 18 additional grams of fentanyl were located along with a semi-automatic pistol, two digital scales and additional United States currency.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy B. Wolfe and Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution.
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. 2:19-cr-00174.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
