CHARLESTON, W.Va. – William Joseph Kessler III, 45, of Beckwith, was sentenced today to 12 years and seven months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for one count of distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl and one count of distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 25, 2024, Kessler sold a total of 18 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant over the course of two transactions, one in Raleigh County and the other at Kessler’s residence in Beckwith. On June 26, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kessler’s residence and seized approximately 36 grams of fentanyl, 263.4 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and ketamine, 45.7 grams of methamphetamine, a CZ Model P-10s 9mm pistol, and $4,603. The seized currency included $505 of prerecorded money exchanged during the controlled buys.
Kessler has a criminal history that dates back to 2004 and includes two prior felony convictions for drug trafficking.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. McLaughlin 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. 2:25-cr-146.
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Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Southern District of West Virginia — U.S. Department of Justice press release.