Leondus Whittenburg, 43, of Beckley, has been sentenced to seven years and 11 months in federal prison for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine. He will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Court records show that on December 6, 2023, Whittenburg sold 320 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in the parking lot of a business near Eisenhower Drive in Beckley. Whittenburg has several prior felony convictions, including previous drug trafficking offenses in the Southern District of West Virginia.
Whittenburg is one of four individuals who pleaded guilty in this case. Phillip Gray, 42, and John Gray, 39, both from Oak Hill, also entered guilty pleas related to methamphetamine distribution. Phillip Gray admitted to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and John Gray pleaded guilty to distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine; both are scheduled for sentencing on September 24, 2025. Daemien Thompson, 39, also from Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and is set for sentencing on September 26, 2025.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston stated: "Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force."
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk handed down the sentence. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell.
Additional information about this case can be found through PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-31 on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia (https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv).
