Jaron Andrew O'Neal, a 38-year-old resident of Charleston, entered a guilty plea to charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The proceedings took place in Huntington, West Virginia.
Court documents reveal that investigators obtained a search warrant for a package directed to an address in Barboursville after it was flagged by a K9 unit. Upon inspection, the package was found to contain roughly one kilogram of fentanyl. Authorities replaced the substance with a sham and proceeded with a controlled delivery to the designated address. On January 24, 2023, O'Neal collected the package and left with it in his vehicle. Following this, law enforcement stopped his vehicle and recovered the package inside. During questioning, O'Neal admitted he believed the package contained controlled substances.
O'Neal's sentencing is set for April 28, 2025. He could face up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and fines amounting to $250,000.
The announcement came from United States Attorney Will Thompson who praised the investigative efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers oversaw the hearing while Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney handled prosecution duties.
This case falls under Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), an initiative aimed at curbing synthetic opioid distribution in critical areas.
Further details can be accessed through related court documents available on PACER under Case No. 3:24-cr-85 or on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.