Daviontae Lately, a 32-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, has pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, Lately sold fentanyl to a confidential informant on September 7 and 8, 2023, at a residence in Beckley where he was staying.
On September 12, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the same residence. They seized additional quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base (commonly known as "crack"), and approximately $9,360 in cash. This amount included $1,400 from controlled buys involving the informant. Lately admitted his intention to distribute the seized drugs and acknowledged that the cash was proceeds from drug trafficking activities.
Lately is scheduled for sentencing on November 14, 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. She commended the investigative work conducted by the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. This unit includes officers from the West Virginia State Police, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, and Beckley Police Department.
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing while Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia's website. Related court documents are available on PACER by searching Case No. 5:24-cr-174.
