Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, Joe Butler, 32, aided and abetted Rance McNeil in the distribution of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on April 8, 2021 in Charleston. 

Butler pleaded guilty to distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 11, 2022. McNeil pleaded guilty in November 2021 and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 17, 2022.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  

Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00258.

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