Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Federal Meth Conspiracy

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pled guilty today in federal court for his role in a conspiracy that involved large quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron and sold in West Virginia,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Jared Matthew Whittington, 30, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

“Whittington participated in a significant meth trafficking network operating between Akron, Ohio and West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “He was responsible for distributing up to 500 grams of meth.  A collaborative investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies shut down this group of meth traffickers. We’re working together to close off the steady pipeline of drugs coming from Akron.”

Whittington admitted that during the months of June and July of 2019, he participated with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of West Virginia.  During the conspiracy, Whittington obtained various quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron to be sold in multiple cities in West Virginia including Teays Valley and Charleston.  Whittington admitted that he supplied methamphetamine to other West Virginia based meth dealers on a recurring basis and that he was aware the methamphetamine he sold would be re-distributed in West Virginia.  As part of his plea agreement, Whittington admitted that he was responsible for distributing up to 500 grams of methamphetamine.   

Whittington faces 5 to 40 years in prison when sentenced on March 9, 2020.

This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Ona Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.