Maurice Kelly Johnson, also known as “Reese,” age 58, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was entered in federal court on January 13, 2026.
Court records show that on May 22, 2025, Johnson provided a Smith & Wesson model M&P Shield M2.0 9mm pistol for sale to a confidential informant in Huntington. As part of his plea agreement, Johnson admitted to possessing the firearm and giving it to co-defendant Earl Michael Myers, who completed the transaction.
Federal law bars individuals with felony convictions from owning firearms or ammunition. Johnson acknowledged he knew about this restriction due to prior felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base from November 23, 1999, and September 4, 1992. Both convictions were handed down by the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Johnson and Myers are among several people indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to an alleged conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, and methamphetamine in Huntington between March and August of 2025.
Myers (also known as “Mike”), age 45 of Huntington, pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026 to distribution of cocaine base and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He is scheduled for sentencing on May 4, 2026. Another co-defendant, Erin Leigh Keeney (41), pleaded guilty on December 15, 2025 to distribution of carfentanil; her sentencing is set for March 30, 2026. Donovan Dewayne Pauley (20) also pleaded guilty on October 27, 2025 to possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun; his sentencing is scheduled for February 9, 2026.
Charges against other defendants remain pending. Authorities remind that indictments are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
Johnson’s sentencing is set for May 4, 2026. He faces up to fifteen years in prison along with at least three years supervised release and up to $250,000 in fines.
United States Attorney Moore Capito stated: "I commend the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Huntington Police Department, and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force."
The hearing was overseen by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers; Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide effort by the Department of Justice focused on combating illegal immigration networks and transnational criminal organizations while aiming to reduce violent crime across communities.
