Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crimes in West Virginia and Montana

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jardan Donaldson, 34, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to possessing with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine in West Virginia and to possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Montana.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 4, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on the 1400 block of Quarrier Street in Charleston, West Virginia. Officers seized approximately 14.1 pounds of methamphetamine during the search. Donaldson admitted that he intended to assist in the distribution of the seized methamphetamine within the Southern District of West Virginia. Donaldson further admitted that he assisted in preparing methamphetamine for distribution at the residence the day before officers executed the search warrant. Donaldson also admitted that he intended to assist in the distribution of additional quantities of fentanyl and metonitazene, a synthetic opioid, seized by law enforcement officers as a result of this investigation.

On July 24, 2024, a law enforcement officer in McCone County, Montana, conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Donaldson was a passenger. The officer encountered Donaldson laying across the rear floorboard of the vehicle on top of multiple bags of methamphetamine. The officer arrested Donaldson after determining he was the subject of an arrest warrant issued in the Southern District of West Virginia. The officer also obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and seized approximately 6.9 pounds of methamphetamine. As part of today’s guilty pleas, Donaldson admitted to possessing the seized methamphetamine and consented to the disposition of the Montana offense in the Southern District of West Virginia.

Donaldson is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine.

Co-defendant Justin Saunders, 28, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on February 12, 2025, to distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Saunders admitted to selling approximately 896 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential source at the Quarrier Street residence in Charleston, where he lived, on February 3, 2024. Saunders is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9, 2025.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Montana Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 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 Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel D. Marsh is prosecuting the case. Assistant United States Samuel D. Marsh is prosecuting the case in coordination with Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey A. Sabol of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

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. 2:25-cr-32 in the Southern District of West Virginia and 1:24-cr-153 in the District of Montana.

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