Parkersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Offense

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man pled guilty to a drug crime,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Keith Saunders, 39, pled guilty to distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine.

“Saunders was selling roughly a half a pound of meth every week,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Meth now plagues West Virginia communities and we are committed to holding drug dealers accountable.”

Saunders admitted that on two separate occasions in 2017, he met with confidential informants working with the Parkersburg Police Department and sold the informants methamphetamine.  On October 29, 2019, Saunders admitted that he sold heroin to a confidential informant again working with the Parkersburg Police Department.  On October 30, 2019, a state search warrant was executed at Saunders’ home where ammunition in addition to several digital scales were located.  Saunders admitted to being addicted to methamphetamine for several years and told investigators that he sold approximately half a pound of methamphetamine a week in order to support his drug addiction. 

Saunders faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on April 23, 2020. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Parkersburg Police Department conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.

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