Huntington Heroin Dealer Pleads Guilty In Federal Court

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that James Anthony Jones pleaded guilty in federal court in Huntington, West Virginia to possession with the intent to deliver 100 grams or more of heroin. 

In November of 2012, Jones and his girlfriend took a Greyhound bus from Detroit, Michigan to Huntington to deliver heroin given to them by Zachary Merritt.  Merritt has pleaded guilty to his role in the drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Upon arrival in Huntington, Jones gave the heroin to his girlfriend.  Before getting into a taxi at the bus station, Jones directed her to hide the heroin inside her body.   Instead of following his direction, Jones’ girlfriend placed the heroin under the seat of the taxi.  Shortly after leaving the bus station, members of the Huntington Police Department stopped the taxi and seized the heroin.

As part of his plea agreement, Jones admitted that he participated in trafficking 528 grams of heroin to Huntington for resale.  Jones, who is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28, 2014, faces up to 40 years imprisonment and a $1 million to $5 million fine. 

Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey handled the prosecution.  This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District.