Crab Orchard Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Addictive Prescription Pain Pills

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Gene James, also known as “Butch,” 44, of Crab Orchard, West Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court in Beckley to distributing a quantity of oxycodone, a powerful and addictive prescription pain medication.  James admitted that on November 13, 2013, he sold pills to a person who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place on Hot Coal Road in Sophia, Raleigh County, West Virginia.

James faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.  United States District Judge Irene C. Berger scheduled the sentencing for August 21, 2014.

The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit conducted the investigation. 

This case was 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 United States 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.