Montgomery Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Conspiracy

 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that Sammy Joe Fragale, II, 39, of Montgomery, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

“The Fragales made meth trafficking their family business,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Now, father and son, both convicted of their crimes, will be calling a federal prison their home.”

Fragale pled guilty in September admitting to being involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in and around Montgomery.  On August 18, 2020, Fragale distributed an ounce of methamphetamine to an informant.  Two days later he sent the informant to his father, Sammy Joe Fragale, Sr. to obtain more methamphetamine.  Fragale, Sr. pled guilty in December and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 29, 2021.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation of the Fragales. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is handling the prosecution.

This case was part of operation “Second Wave,” a long-term investigation of a drug trafficking ring involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin,  marijuana, and THC products. More than a dozen individuals have been charged in federal court as part of the investigation. In addition to the Fragales, Larry Terrence Martin and Greg Woods have pled guilty.  Jimmie Lee Coleman is scheduled to plead guilty on January 19, 2021.  Trial for the remaining defendants is scheduled in March. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), and the Charleston Police Department conducted the “Second Wave” investigation. 

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is an independent component of the U.S. Department of Justice. Established in 1982, OCDETF is the keystone of the Attorney General’s strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics throughout the United States using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. OCDETF agents and prosecutors nationwide handle complex investigations and prosecutions of the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States.  OCDETF facilitates joint operations by focusing its partner agencies on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms.

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-00176 (Fragale, II), 2:20-cr-00184 (Fragale, Sr.), 2:20-cr-00154 (Martin et al), and 2:20-cr-00153 (Woods).