HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pleaded guilty today to a federal fentanyl charge.
According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, Ian Wyatt Justice, 20, admitted that on March 16, 2021, Huntington Police officers were conducting a drug investigation and observed him enter a residence located on Charleston Avenue in Huntington. The officers executed a search warrant at the residence on that date and Justice, who was present just prior to the search, was arrested. During the search, officers seized a number of items including fentanyl, three firearms, and items used to prepare fentanyl for distribution. Justice admitted that he intended to distribute the fentanyl and that he had been selling fentanyl in Huntington in the months leading up to the search.
Justice pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and faces five to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 13, 2022.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.
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. 3:22-cr-00009.
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