Two Charleston residents received prison sentences for their involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking organization operating in the Charleston area. Kirt Ray King, 48, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and for committing a crime while on supervised release. John Wayne Harkless, 47, received an eight-year and one-month prison sentence with three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Court records indicate that between January 2024 and May 2024, King and Harkless worked with others as part of the drug trafficking group. Harkless sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on nine occasions during this period. Investigators confirmed that King supplied Harkless with the drugs.
King was found responsible for about 11 pounds of methamphetamine distributed to several individuals involved in the organization. At the time, he was already serving supervised release following his convictions from December 3, 2004, which included charges related to cocaine distribution and firearms offenses. For committing a new crime while under supervision, King was given an additional sentence of one year and six months to be served concurrently.
Harkless has a criminal record spanning four states with over 23 convictions. The investigation determined he personally distributed nearly three pounds of methamphetamine.
Both men were among four individuals indicted by a federal grand jury connected to this case. All pleaded guilty. Anthony Michael Mowery from Parkersburg was sentenced earlier this year to nine years in prison for similar charges involving at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and violating supervised release. Michael Dale Cain, also from Parkersburg, received an eight-year and one-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
"Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin handed down the sentences. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted under the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. Established in 1982, OCDETF coordinates resources from federal agencies alongside state and local law enforcement to target major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations that threaten public safety or national security through large-scale operations (https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf).
Additional information can be found through PACER by searching Case No. 2:24-cr-95.
