CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Justin Saunders, 28, of Charleston, was sentenced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, to 13 years and nine months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 3, 2024, Saunders sold approximately 896 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential source. Saunders admitted to the transaction and that it occurred at his residence on the 1400 block of Quarrier Street in Charleston.
On February 4, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Saunders’ residence and additionally seized over 14 pounds of methamphetamine, a kilogram of substances containing fentanyl, two pistols, and $35,258.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum and former Assistant United States Attorney Samuel D. Marsh prosecuted the case.
Co-defendant Jardan Donaldson, 37, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, was sentenced on December 9, 2025, to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
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. 2:24-cr-70.
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Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Southern District of West Virginia — U.S. Department of Justice press release.