Donald Renard Taylor, a 49-year-old resident of Dunbar, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine. The proceedings disclosed that on July 31, 2023, Taylor sold 104.63 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $850. Taylor admitted to the sale and to two previous sales: 27.71 grams for $240 on June 14, 2023, and 55.75 grams for $440 on July 13, 2023. All transactions took place in Dunbar.
A search warrant, executed at his residence on August 2, 2023, led to the seizure of 139.7 grams of methamphetamine, over 200 grams of fentanyl, 544.8 grams of cocaine, $19,479, and six firearms: a Highpoint 9mm pistol, a Bearman .38-caliber pistol, a F.I.E. Corp .25-caliber pistol, a Glock L9 9mm pistol, a Taurus GX4 9mm pistol, and a Davis Industries .25-caliber pistol.
Taylor's sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2025. He may face up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the plea, highlighting the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which includes multiple local law enforcement agencies.
Senior United States District Judge A. Faber oversaw the hearing, with the prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum.
Detailed information about this case is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia and through PACER by searching Case No. 2:24-cr-44.
