Federal indictment, arrests disrupt Pleasants County methamphetamine manufacturing operation

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Multiple individuals have been arrested pursuant to a federal indictment stemming from a methamphetamine manufacturing operation based in Pleasants County, West Virginia, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment earlier this week charging Donald William Butler, 56, Bonnie Jean Butler, 54, Garland Samuel Butler, 50, Travis Michael Butler, 21, Samuel Scott Butler, 23, all of Saint Marys, West Virginia, and Kate Lynn Baker, 20, of Friendly, West Virginia, with manufacturing methamphetamine.

The defendants utilized a residence in Pleasants County to manufacture methamphetamine over an extended period of time. They also were repeatedly discovered in possession of medications containing pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in methamphetamine.

All six defendants are charged with one count of “Methamphetamine and Pseudoephedrine Conspiracy,” for which they each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

Donald and Bonnie Butler are each further charged with:
• One count of “Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises - Aiding and Abetting,” for which they each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, and
• One count of “Possession of Material used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Aiding and Abetting,” for which they each face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Garland and Travis Butler are each further charged with four counts of “Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine.” They each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the four counts.

Kate Baker is further charged with four counts of “Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine,” and one count of “Attempt to Possess Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine.” She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the five counts.

Samuel Butler is further charged with three counts of “Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the three counts.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police and the Pleasants Count Sheriff’s Department are investigating.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.