Two Kanawha County Men Plead Guilty to Federal Drug Charges

 CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two Kanawha County men pled guilty to federal drug charges before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

“We’re working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to root out drug dealers from every corner of Kanawha County and throughout southern West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Rose and Davis join the long list of defendants we’ve convicted for peddling their poisons.”

Karzell Rose, 29, of St. Albans, pled guilty to distribution of heroin.  Rose admitted that on January 23, 2020, he sold approximately 3 grams of heroin to a confidential informant at his residence in St. Albans. On January 28, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at that residence and located an additional amount of heroin, digital scales and two guns. Rose admitted that he intended to distribute the heroin.  Rose faces 20 years in prison when sentenced on February 24, 2021. The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica Coleman is handling the prosecution.

In a separate case, Justin Lee Davis, 27, of Belle, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. Davis admitted that he sold approximately four ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in the parking lot of a retail establishment near Belle on February 22, 2019.  Law enforcement officers were able to observe Davis meeting with the confidential informant during the transaction.  Following the transaction, Davis was followed back to his residence.  A search warrant was executed at that residence four days later, and Davis was located in a bedroom along with approximately 2.4 pounds of additional methamphetamine, digital scales, and packaging materials. Davis faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced on February 24, 2021. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation.   Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is handling the prosecution.

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 Nos. 2:20-cr-00082 (Rose) and 2:20-cr-00164 (Davis).