Three individuals have confessed to their involvement in a drug trafficking operation that distributed substantial quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in North Central West Virginia.
The defendants who entered guilty pleas are James People II, 28, from Pennsauken, New Jersey; Jeffrey Marsh, 45, from Morgantown, West Virginia; and William Durnall, 60, from Elkins, West Virginia. People admitted to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Marsh pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Durnall acknowledged distributing methamphetamine and also pleaded guilty in a separate case for possession with intent to distribute the same substance.
Court documents reveal that these individuals were part of a drug trafficking organization responsible for extensive distribution activities in the region.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is handling the prosecution for the government.
The investigation was conducted by the Mon Metro Drug Task Force under the HIDTA program. The task force includes several agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office; Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; Morgantown Police Department; WVU Police Department; Granville Police Department; and Star City Police Department.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF aims to identify and dismantle major criminal organizations threatening the United States through a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
U.S. Magistrate Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings.