Jason Lorel Minter, a 43-year-old resident of Charleston, has entered a guilty plea to charges related to drug possession with the intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The plea comes after law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on September 10, 2024, at Minter's home. During the search, authorities confiscated 126.8 grams of fentanyl, 312.7 grams of methamphetamine, 490 grams of marijuana, two loaded firearms—a Taurus model G3 9mm pistol and a Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber pistol—and $1,522 in cash. Minter admitted ownership of these substances.
Minter's sentencing is set for June 23, 2025. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and could receive up to 40 years in prison. Additional penalties include at least four years of supervised release and a fine that could reach $5 million.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the development and praised the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) for their investigation efforts. The team includes members from various local law enforcement agencies: Charleston Police Department, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Nitro Police Department, St. Albans Police Department, and South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers oversaw the court proceedings with Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum handling prosecution duties.
For more information on this case or related documents, individuals can visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia or use PACER by referencing Case No. 2:24-cr-196.