U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson | U.S. Department of Justice
Michael Reynard Penn, a 43-year-old resident of Beckley, West Virginia, has entered a guilty plea to charges of distributing fentanyl. The plea was made in court today.
Court documents and statements reveal that on August 17, 2023, Penn sold approximately 27 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $1,600 at his home in Beckley. Penn acknowledged this transaction and also admitted to selling fentanyl to the same informant on three additional occasions between August 23 and September 13, 2023.
A search warrant executed by law enforcement officers at Penn's residence on September 18, 2023, led to the discovery of cocaine, marijuana, a Ruger .380-caliber pistol, and $4,889 in cash. Among the cash found was $470 in pre-recorded money from the controlled drug buys conducted with the informant.
Penn is scheduled for sentencing on March 28, 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a potential fine of $1 million.
United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the guilty plea and praised the efforts of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. This unit includes officers from various agencies such as the West Virginia State Police, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and Beckley Police Department.
The hearing was overseen by United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell is responsible for prosecuting this case.
Further information about this case can be accessed through PACER by searching Case No. 5:24-cr-94 or via the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.
