Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Crime

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Frank W. Basenback, 36, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 8, 2023, Basenback agreed to sell heroin to a confidential informant. Basenback admitted that he sold approximately 56 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant on the 3300 block of Harvey Road in Huntington in exchange for $1,000.

Basenback further admitted to selling a total of approximately 243 grams of fentanyl to confidential informants at the same location for a total of $4,000 during separate occasions on August 23, 2023, and September 4, 2023.

On September 14, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant a Basenback’s Haynie Road residence. Officers found approximately $42,892 in the residence and approximately 2 kilograms of fentanyl in a truck parked outside. Officers also found $711 on Basenback’s person. Basenback admitted that he possessed and intended to distribute the seized fentanyl, and further admitted that the seized cash and $14,608.69 in his bank account were drug proceeds from selling fentanyl.

Basenback is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-155. 

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