Boone County man sentenced to six years in federal prison for dealing pain pills

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Boone County pain pill dealer was sentenced today to six years in federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Howard D. Williamson, Jr., 55, of Madison, previously pleaded guilty to both counts of a two-count indictment charging him with distribution of oxycodone.

Williamson admitted that on July 23, 2015, and again on October 25, 2015, he sold oxycodone pills to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. Williamson further admitted that the drug deals took place at his Lincoln Avenue residence in Madison.

The investigation was conducted by the West Virginia State Police and the U.S. Route 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney John Frail is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.

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