Three individuals have admitted to their involvement in a drug trafficking operation that distributed significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in North Central West Virginia.
James People, II, 28, from Pennsauken, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jeffrey Marsh, 45, from Morgantown, West Virginia, admitted guilt for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. William Durnall, 60, from Elkins, West Virginia, confessed to the distribution of methamphetamine and also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Court documents revealed that these defendants were part of an organization responsible for large-scale drug distribution in the region. The prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley.
The investigation was conducted by the Mon Metro Drug Task Force under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. This task force includes various law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and several local police departments.
This case forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening national security through a coordinated approach involving multiple agencies. Further details about OCDETF are available on their official website.
U.S. Magistrate Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings.
