Randolph County man admits to methamphetamine distribution and firearms charge

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph William Howell, Jr., of Beverly, West Virginia, has admitted to methamphetamine and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Howell, age 28, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “Possess Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime.” Howell admitted to working with others to distribute methamphetamine from December 2017 to July 2018 in Randolph County and elsewhere. He also admitted to having a .34 Colt caliber revolver during the drug crime.

Howell faces at least five years and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for the conspiracy charge and faces at least five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms charge. 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 Randolph County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.