John Ladelle Puryear, a 50-year-old resident of Huntington, West Virginia, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. After his release from prison, he will serve three years under supervised release.
Court documents state that on January 16, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Puryear’s Huntington apartment. During the search, authorities seized about 299 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of fentanyl, and 8 grams of crack cocaine. Officers also recovered three firearms—a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm pistol, a Colt MK IV Series 80 .45-caliber pistol, and a Ruger LCF .380-caliber pistol—along with digital scales and roughly $6,487 in cash. As part of his guilty plea, Puryear admitted to possessing the controlled substances found during the search.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the sentence and praised both the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department for their investigative efforts.
The case was presided over by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the matter.
Further details about this case can be accessed through PACER by searching Case No. 3:25-cr-125.
