Beckley Man Sentenced to More than 13 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Crime and Violating Supervised Release

BECKLEY, W.Va. - Leon Eugene Smith Jr., 43, of Beckley, was sentenced today to 13 years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of a fentanyl and violating his supervised release<_o3a_p>

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 15, 2023, Smith sold a controlled substance containing fentanyl to a confidential informant in the Lenark area of Raleigh County. Smith admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling controlled substances containing fentanyl to a confidential informant on three occasions between December 19, 2023, and January 3, 2024, all in the Lenark area.<_o3a_p>

On January 8, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Smith's residence. Officers found fentanyl, marijuana, a pill bottle containing oxycodone, a pill bottle containing black tar heroin, three cell phones, a security system, $1,170 and scales, money counters, vacuum sealers, and other items of drug paraphernalia. Officers also found six long guns, two pistols, a 50-round drum magazine, a 30-round drum magazine, two 30-round rifle magazines and assorted ammunition. Smith admitted to possessing the firearms, magazines and ammunition and further admitted that the drug paraphernalia items were used in the distribution of fentanyl.<_o3a_p>

At the time of this offense, Smith was serving a term of federal supervised release for a prior conviction. Today's prison sentence includes 10 months for committing a crime while on supervised release.<_o3a_p>

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff's Department, and the Beckley Police Department.<_o3a_p>

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon prosecuted the case.<_o3a_p>

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. 5:24-cr-22.<_o3a_p>