A Beckley resident, Justin Scott Keyes, 36, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Court documents and statements presented in court indicate that between October 2024 and January 2025, Keyes worked with another individual to sell drugs in the Southern District of West Virginia.
As part of his plea agreement, Keyes admitted that he and his co-conspirator sold a total of 12.34 grams of fentanyl on four occasions during this period. Each sale was made to a confidential informant at the Beckley residence where Keyes lived with his co-conspirator. He also acknowledged that his co-conspirator communicated with the informant before each transaction.
On January 29, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Keyes’ home and recovered two firearms: a Ruger model EC9s 9mm pistol and a Taurus model G3c 9mm pistol. Keyes admitted ownership of these weapons and said he had obtained them by trading drugs.
Keyes is scheduled for sentencing on January 9, 2026. He faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a possible fine of $1 million.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the plea and recognized the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as well as 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. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin is prosecuting the case.
Additional information about this case can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia or through PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-cr-73.
