New York Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Brian Ellis Jones, 44, of Freeport, New York, was sentenced today to 18 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from March 15, 2023 through June 24, 2023, Jones sent 11 packages containing methamphetamine from New York to co-defendant Jason Todd Painter in Clendenin, West Virginia. Jones admitted that the packages contained a total of at least 33 pounds of methamphetamine. Painter kept some of the methamphetamine for himself and held the rest for Jones to pick up. Jones occasionally directed Painter to deliver methamphetamine to other individuals in the Kanawha County area.

On July 15, 2023, Jones shipped a package through the United States Postal Service from New York to Clendenin. Law enforcement intercepted the package and discovered methamphetamine inside. On July 18, 2023, law enforcement officers arrested Jones and found $1,133 on his person. Jones admitted that he possessed the money and that it was a portion of his drug proceeds.

Painter, 40, of Clendenin, was sentenced on November 13, 2024 to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted 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. 2:23-cr-182.

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