Jardan Donaldson, a resident of Mount Clemens, Michigan, has pleaded guilty to federal drug crimes in both West Virginia and Montana. Donaldson admitted to possessing with the intent to distribute significant amounts of methamphetamine in both states.
Court documents indicate that on February 4, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at a Charleston, West Virginia residence, uncovering 14.1 pounds of methamphetamine. Donaldson acknowledged his role in distributing this methamphetamine within the Southern District of West Virginia and preparing it for distribution shortly before the search. He further admitted involvement in distributing additional amounts of fentanyl and metonitazene.
On July 24, 2024, a traffic stop in Montana led to the discovery of Donaldson lying on the floorboard of a vehicle, on top of several bags of methamphetamine. He was arrested under an outstanding warrant from West Virginia. Approximately 6.9 pounds of methamphetamine were seized from the vehicle. Donaldson confirmed during his guilty plea that he possessed the methamphetamine, agreeing to resolve the Montana charges in West Virginia.
His sentencing is set for August 4, 2025, with potential penalties of a minimum of 10 years in prison, no less than five years of supervised release, and up to a $10 million fine.
In a related case, Justin Saunders of Charleston, a co-defendant, pleaded guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Saunders admitted selling 896 grams to a confidential informant at his residence on February 3, 2024. He will be sentenced on June 9, 2025.
The investigations involved efforts from the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, the Montana Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel D. Marsh, together with Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey A. Sabol, is handling the prosecution under the supervision of United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia has published this information on its website. Related cases can be accessed via PACER using the case numbers 2:25-cr-32 in West Virginia and 1:24-cr-153 in Montana.