Mineral County man admits to drug distribution

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Justin Edward Haines, of Keyser, West Virginia, has admitted to distributing fentanyl, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and cocaine, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Haines, age 48, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, Crystal Methamphetamine, and Cocaine.” Haines admitted to working with others to sell fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and cocaine in January 2020 to January 2021 in Mineral County.

Haines faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. 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 Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.  The task force consists of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation; the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office; the Mineral County Sheriff's Office; the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office; the Grant County Sheriff’s Office; and the Keyser Police Department. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.