Devin I. Cresce, a 28-year-old resident of Beckley, West Virginia, has entered a guilty plea to the charge of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The plea was made in federal court today.
Court documents reveal that on July 13, 2023, Cresce sold about 53 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $500 at a location outside Crossroads Mall in Mount Hope. He acknowledged his involvement in this transaction. Additionally, Cresce admitted to selling approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine for $750 on July 18, around 24 grams of fentanyl for $1,800 on July 28, and roughly 62 grams of methamphetamine for $750 on August 8. All these transactions took place at his residence with the same informant.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cresce’s home on August 10, leading to the seizure of about 94.5 grams of fentanyl and 63 grams of methamphetamine. Cresce confessed that he planned to distribute these substances within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Cresce's sentencing is set for May 9, 2025. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and could receive up to forty years in prison. The sentence may also include at least four years under supervised release and a fine reaching $5 million.
United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the plea deal while praising the efforts made by the Central West Virginia Task Force during their investigation.
The hearing was overseen by United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn with Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons prosecuting the case.
Further details can be accessed through PACER by searching Case No. 5:24-cr-92 or visiting the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.