Ohio Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison For Drug and Firearm Crimes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thomas Matthew Blankenship., 39, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced today to 11 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm  in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2022, law enforcement officers served arrest warrants on Blankenship as he left a residence in the Pecks Mill area of Logan County, West Virginia. After he was placed in handcuffs, officers found approximately 95 grams of fentanyl, 11 grams of methamphetamine, and a loaded 9mm pistol on his person. Blankenship admitted that he intended to distribute the drugs, and that he possessed the pistol in order to protect himself, the drugs, and any money he made from selling the drugs. 

Blankenship has a long criminal history that includes nine prior felony convictions, including for felonious assault, improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation, tampering with evidence, trafficking in heroin, felon in possession of a firearm, and failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe 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. 2:22-cr-197.

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