Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Crime

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Melvin Pearson Jones, 40, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 3, 2023, Jones sold a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant at his Huntington apartment for $300. Jones admitted to the transaction, and to arranging it beforehand with the confidential informant. Jones further admitted to selling approximately 6.11 grams of heroin and fentanyl to the confidential informant in Huntington on August 9, 2023.

Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 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) and the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor 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. 3:24-cr-1. 

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