Arthur Ray Elkins, a 60-year-old resident of Chesapeake, West Virginia, has been sentenced to nine years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was handed down in Charleston by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.
Court documents reveal that on March 6, 2023, Elkins sold approximately 56 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $700. Subsequent controlled purchases led law enforcement officers to execute a search warrant at his residence and garage on March 15, 2023. During the search, officers discovered around 229 grams of methamphetamine, three firearms, and $3,854 in cash. Elkins admitted to regularly selling methamphetamine and being a daily user himself. He also disclosed receiving firearms as payment for drugs.
Further investigation on December 13, 2023, resulted in the recovery of an additional pound of methamphetamine from Elkins.
Elkins' criminal history includes felony convictions for various offenses such as breaking and entering, grand larceny, forgery, conspiracy related to marijuana distribution, unarmed robbery, bank robbery, and conspiracy involving U.S. Treasury checks theft.
United States Attorney Will Thompson praised the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel D. Marsh prosecuted the case.
Information about this case can be accessed through PACER under Case No. 2:24-cr-15.