A Beckley resident has admitted to conspiring to distribute fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia. Justin Scott Keyes, 36, pleaded guilty to the charge in federal court.
Court documents show that between October 2024 and January 2025, Keyes worked with another individual to sell drugs in the area. During his plea hearing, Keyes acknowledged that he and his co-conspirator sold a total of 12.34 grams of fentanyl on four occasions to a confidential informant. He also admitted conducting these sales at his Beckley home and confirmed that his co-conspirator arranged each transaction with the informant beforehand.
On January 29, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Keyes’ residence. Officers found two pistols: a Ruger model EC9s 9mm and a Taurus model G3c 9mm. Keyes told authorities that both firearms belonged to him and said he had traded drugs for them.
Keyes is set for sentencing on January 9, 2026. He faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a possible fine of $1 million.
“Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and 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.”
The case was heard by United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin is prosecuting.
Additional information about this case can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-cr-73 through this link: https://pacer.uscourts.gov/.
