U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson | U.S. Department of Justice
Deona’tre Capri Dowell, a resident of Beckley, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Dowell acknowledged his involvement in a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine base, commonly known as "crack," within Beckley and the Southern District of West Virginia.
Court documents reveal that on May 25, 2024, Dowell received an ounce of fentanyl from a co-conspirator at his residence. He had earlier requested the drug via phone and discussed using a cutting agent to increase profits for repaying the supplier. Dowell admitted obtaining additional fentanyl on consignment in May 2024, which he paid back with sales proceeds.
During a search on May 30, 2024, law enforcement discovered approximately 535 grams of methamphetamine, 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, and firearms at Dowell's residence. He confessed to possessing these substances with the intent to distribute them.
Dowell faces sentencing on April 11, 2025. The maximum penalty includes 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
He is one of twelve individuals indicted for conspiring to distribute drugs within the Southern District of West Virginia between June 2023 and May 2024. Five defendants have pleaded guilty so far. Charges against others remain pending.
United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the plea deal and praised the work of several law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation: the FBI, ATF, and Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit comprising officers from various local departments.
The case was heard by United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn with Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuting.
This investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling significant drug trafficking organizations threatening public safety or national security.
Further details are available through court documents found by searching Case No. 5:24-cr-90 on PACER or visiting the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.
