BECKLEY, W.Va. - David Jeffrey Edwards, 46, of Daniels, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on Feb. 24, 2022 law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Edwards’ residence in Daniels. Edwards admitted to possessing 19 grams of methamphetamine packaged in nine separate small bags, 1 gram of fentanyl and $958 found during the search. Edwards further admitted that he intended to distribute the controlled substances.
Edwards also admitted to selling a half-ounce of fentanyl to a confidential informant at his residence on Dec. 12, 2021. Edwards told officers during the Feb. 24, 2022, search that he had been selling an average of a half-ounce of methamphetamine weekly for several weeks. Officers also found an improvised explosive device during the search, a glass bottle filled with gunpowder, metal spheres, projectiles and other objects with a length of cordage inserted in the bottle opening as a means of ignition. Edwards admitted that he made the improvised explosive device.
Edwards is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell is prosecuting 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. 5:22-cr-125.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
