Nicholas County Men Sentenced To Federal Prison For Methamphetamine Conspiracy

Nine from Nicholas sentenced to federal prison this year in meth ring take-down

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Two men were sentenced to federal prison for their participation in a Nicholas County methamphetamine conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today.  Roy Spinks, Sr., of Craigsville, 59, was sentenced to two years in prison. Spinks’ co-defendant, Michael Boley, 31, of Summersville, was also sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.  The sentences were handed down today by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. in Charleston.

Spinks Sr., who previously pleaded guilty in August to making a residence available for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine, permitted an associate, Felicia Bess, to cook methamphetamine at his Kyler Road residence in Nicholas County.  Boley, who also pleaded guilty in August, cooked methamphetamine at Spinks’ Nicholas residence, as well as at several other locations in and around Nicholas County from October 2010 until June 2011. 

Bess, 23, of Summersville, was sentenced in February to three years in prison for her participation in the conspiracy.  Also in February, Roy Spinks, Jr., 39, of Craigsville, was sentenced to six years in prison for making a residence available for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine.  During the conspiracy, Spinks Jr. and Bess worked together to manufacture methamphetamine using a technique known as the “shake and bake” method.  Spinks Jr. also told police that he manufactured methamphetamine at several different residences in Nicholas County 

In a related matter, Bratten Smith, 28, of Richwood, was sentenced in February to two years in prison.  From February 2011 until May 1, 2011, Smith helped Spinks and Bess cook methamphetamine at a residence in Nicholas County.  Smith also supplied pseudoephedrine and other ingredients that were used to manufacture methamphetamine.  In exchange for the meth-making materials, Smith received methamphetamine for his personal use.

In addition, Shannon Ellison (3 ½ years), Jennifer Curry (2 years), Rachel Petrey (five years and 10 months), and Terry Mullins (four years and three months), all of Nicholas County, were sentenced to federal prison earlier this year for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.      

The U.S. Forestry Service, the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department and the Richwood Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney John Frail handled the prosecutions.