ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua Allen Hinkle, of Cabins, West Virginia, has admitted to a fentanyl charge, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Joshua Allen Hinkle, 36, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute at Least 40 Grams of Fentanyl.” Hinkle admitted to working with others to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl in April 2020 in Grant County and elsewhere.
Hinkle faces at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for the conspiracy charge. Hinkle also faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the possession of fentanyl charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office investigated. The Task Force consists of members from the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, the FBI, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.