Beckley Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

 BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.  

Pursuant to the plea agreement and statements made in court, on January 9, 2020, Greg Anthony Waters, Jr., 27, sold approximately 3.5 grams of heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement.  Waters admitted to meeting the informant in Beckley to sell the drugs.  Waters also admitted to selling heroin and fentanyl on several other occasions between January 9, 2020 and September 18, 2020. As further part of the plea, Waters agreed to abandon to the United States and the State of West Virginia multiple firearms that were recovered by law enforcement during a search of Waters’ apartment.  Waters admitted that he was prohibited from possessing the firearms due to a prior felony conviction in Illinois.

Waters pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and he faces up to 20 years in federal prison when sentenced on October 18, 2021.   

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) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which is comprised of officers from the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley Police Department and the West Virginia State Police.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution.  United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing.