Grant County Man convicted of meth trafficking and firearm charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Petersburg, West Virginia, man was convicted today of methamphetamine distribution and illegal possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.

Joseph Nathaniel Hartman, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.”  The crimes occurred in August 2015 in Grant County.

Hartman faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the first count and 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the second count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, The West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.