Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Travell Lamar Johnson, 45, of Big Chimney, was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 14, 2023, Johnson sold approximately 3.5 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant at a Charleston gas station. Johnson admitted to the transaction and to arranging it beforehand with the confidential informant.

The confidential informant arranged two additional fentanyl transactions with Johnson that month. Johnson sold the confidential informant approximately 4.8 grams of fentanyl at the Charleston gas station for $500 on June 16, 2023. Johnson agreed to sell 10 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant on June 21, 2023, at the same location. Co-defendant Alexis Nicole Davis stopped that transaction after recognizing the would-be buyer as a confidential informant. Law enforcement officers apprehended Johnson and Davis following the interrupted drug transaction and seized approximately 9.8 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl.

Johnson has a long criminal history that includes at least six prior convictions for drug-related offenses and other crimes.

Davis, 26, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on May 2, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and awaits sentencing.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department-Special Enforcement Unit and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon prosecuted the case.

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 No. 2:23-cr-177.

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