Raleigh County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime

BECKLEY, W.Va. – John Thompson, 50, of White Oak, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 18, 2024, Thompson oversaw the sale of approximately 205 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $2,500. As part of his guilty plea, Thompson admitted that he arranged the transaction after meeting with the confidential informant and that co-defendant Sharee Woodson conducted it. Thompson further admitted that he sold quantities of methamphetamine on February 28, 2024, and March 1, 2024, and quantities of fentanyl on March 4, 2024, and March 13, 2024, each time to the confidential informant.

Woodson, 46, of Beckley, was sentenced on March 27, 2026, to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, and the Beckley Police Department.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons 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. 5:25-cr-116.

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