Hardy County man admits to drug charge

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jesse Michael Ferrell, of Moorefield, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Ferrell, 42, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Ferrell admitted to working with others to distribute methamphetamine, also known as “crystal meth” and “ice,” in October 2020 in Hardy County.

Ferrell, as a part of his plea, agreed to forfeit the following:

• a Sporter (AK), 7.62x39 caliber, semi-automatic rifle;
• a Kel-Tec CNC, Inc., model P-11, 9mm caliber, semi-automatic Luger pistol;
• a magazine containing ten (10) rounds of 9mm caliber ammunition;
• a box containing forty (40) rounds of 9mm Tulamo ammunition;
• a box containing fifty (50) rounds of 9mm PPM ammunition;
• a box containing forty (40) rounds of 9mm Blazer ammunition;
• three (3) rounds of 9mm caliber ammunition; and
• $1,169.00 cash.

Ferrell faces at least one year and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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 is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; ATF; the West Virginia State Police; the Grant County Sheriff’s Office; and the Moorefield Police Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.