Detroit Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Edward Keith Perkins, 31, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 19, 2024, Perkins shipped a box containing approximately 4.43 kilograms of methamphetamine from California to a Virginia Street address on the West Side of Charleston, West Virginia. On August 22, 2024, Perkins drove to the Virginia Street address. Law enforcement approached the vehicle Perkins was driving after a passenger in the vehicle retrieved the package from the porch of the residence and placed it in the vehicle’s trunk. Perkins fled the vehicle when the officers approached but was later apprehended. Perkins admitted that the package contained approximately 50 grams of fentanyl in addition to the 4.43 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Perkins has a long criminal history that includes prior convictions for assault, carjacking and carrying a concealed weapon.

“The investigation in this case revealed that the defendant distributed nearly 20 pounds of methamphetamine and over 100 grams of fentanyl that he shipped from California to West Virginia and Tennessee,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “Today’s sentence is the result of this office’s commitment to work closely with our law enforcement partners and prosecute these cases to the fullest extent to keep our communities safe.”

Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys JC MacCallum and Alexander A. Redmon prosecuted 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. 2:24-cr-158.

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