Akron Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Conspiracy

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Akron man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today for his role in a methamphetamine conspiracy.  

According to court documents, Tionte Lavon Blanchard, 25, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and admitted that he and others participated in a conspiracy from the fall of 2018 to June 2019 to distribute methamphetamine that was frequently shipped from Akron, Ohio to various locations in West Virginia.  Blanchard utilized a residence on 25^th Street in Huntington to store methamphetamine after it arrived from Akron.  On June 6, 2019,  investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and seized over 1.7 kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine.  Blanchard admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine and intended to distribute it in the Huntington area. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the 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 imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.