Skip to main content
Press Release

Authorities Seize 413 Grams Of Crack Cocaine, Dealer Sentenced To 97 Months In Prison

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia


1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Tara Tighe, Public Affairs Specialist

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – John A. Boyles, 34, of Kerens, West Virginia was sentenced to 97 months in prison after authorities seized 413 grams of crack cocaine from his residence, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.

“This is one of the largest seizures of crack cocaine to date in the Northern District of West Virginia,” commented U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “I applaud the dedicated efforts of investigators in this case. We remain committed to aggressively combating the pervasive drug addiction problem facing our communities.” Boyles pled guilty in May 2014 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine Base” following a West Virginia State Police investigation.

In another matter, Brandon Michael Beeson, 28, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 51 months in prison. Beeson pled guilty in July 2014 to one count of “Possession of Material used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” after he was discovered in possession of various materials including coffee filters, lithium batteries, airline tubing, air pump, instant cold packs, starter fluid, lighter fluid, salt, drain cleaner, plastic bottles, a pill crusher, glass and plastic bottles, which can be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The Randolph and Upshur County Sheriff’s Departments and the Buckhannon Police Department investigated.

Additionally, Natasha Jewell Biggins, 28, of Montrose, West Virginia, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for her role in manufacturing methamphetamine, She pled guilty in April 2014 to one count of “Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” after methamphetamine manufacturing materials were discovered in her residence as part of a West Virginia State Police investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Warner prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.

Chief U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

Updated January 7, 2015