Randolph County man indicted on methamphetamine and firearms charges

 ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua Derek Raines, of Elkins, West Virginia, is facing drug and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Raines, 37, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute at Least Fifty Grams of Methamphetamine,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute at Least Fifty Grams of Methamphetamine,” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime.” Raines is accused of having at least 50 grams of methamphetamine in August 2019 in Randolph County. He is also accused of having a .40 caliber pistol during a drug trafficking crime in August 2019.

Raines faces not less than 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000 for each of the conspiracy and possession of meth charges. Raines faces at least five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the possession of a firearm charge. 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.

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