10/31/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 10:47
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - A federal jury has convicted a Martinsburg man of fentanyl and cocaine charges, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Desmond Lamont Davis, age 33, was found guilty of three counts involving the possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine.
The evidence at trial established that Davis was distributing drugs in Berkeley County, WV. During the investigation, Officers observed Davis, who was wanted on several outstanding warrants, leaving a residence in Kearneysville, West Virginia. After a pursuit, Davis was arrested. The arrest yielded 72 grams of fentanyl, 131 grams of cocaine, and 42 grams of cocaine base, along with thousands of dollars in cash and drug paraphernalia. Davis has been previously convicted of drug charges and malicious assault.
A co-conspirator, Karmen Grimes, 24, of Martinsburg, pled guilty to a cocaine charge and was sentenced to five years of probation in 2023.
Davis is facing at least 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison for two of the counts and faces up to 20 years for the third count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Kyle Kane prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.