Deona’tre Capri Dowell, a 31-year-old resident of Beckley, West Virginia, has been sentenced to nine years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization. The organization was responsible for distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine base, commonly known as "crack," within Beckley and other areas in 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 admitted to arranging this transaction earlier that day and confessed to obtaining additional quantities of fentanyl throughout May 2024 from his supplier on consignment. The payment was made using proceeds from distributing the drugs.
On May 30, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Dowell's home. They discovered approximately 535 grams of methamphetamine, 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, a Romarm Micro Draco firearm, and a Glock model handgun. Dowell admitted to possessing these substances with the intent to distribute them.
Dowell is one of twelve individuals indicted for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack within the Southern District of West Virginia between June 2023 and May 2024. All defendants have pleaded guilty; two did so on separate charges instead of those alleged in the indictment.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the sentencing and praised the investigative efforts of multiple agencies including the FBI, ATF, and local law enforcement units such as the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.
The sentence was imposed by Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess along with former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell.
This investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program established in 1982 to combat major drug trafficking organizations through comprehensive attacks involving federal resources alongside state and local law enforcement efforts.
A copy of this press release can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia with related court documents available through PACER under Case No. 5:24-cr-90.
