Phillip Gray, a 41-year-old resident of Oak Hill, has entered a guilty plea to charges related to a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. This admission was made in a federal court in Beckley, West Virginia.
Court records and statements indicate that Gray was involved in a conspiracy from November 27, 2022, to December 6, 2023, intending to obtain and distribute methamphetamine within West Virginia's Southern District. On two occasions, Gray sold substantial quantities of methamphetamine to a confidential informant, transactions that were included in his guilty plea.
Gray is slated for sentencing on August 8, 2025. The potential penalties include a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, along with a fine of $10 million and at least five years of supervised release.
The investigation, which resulted in a federal grand jury indictment, includes four individuals associated with the drug trafficking operation. Among others, Leondus Whittenburg has pleaded guilty to distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, and John Gray admitted to distributing a quantity of methamphetamine. Both are awaiting sentencing. Daemien Thompson's indictment remains pending, with all defendants presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the progress of the case, acknowledging the roles of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force in the investigation.
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn oversaw the court proceedings, with Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew D. Isabell and Brian D. Parsons handling prosecution duties.
Further details and documents related to the case can be accessed on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia or through the PACER system under Case No. 5:24-cr-31.
