Leondus Whittenburg, 43, of Beckley, was sentenced to seven years and 11 months in federal prison for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.
Court documents show that on December 6, 2023, Whittenburg sold 320 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in the parking lot of a business near Eisenhower Drive in Beckley. Whittenburg has several previous felony convictions, including prior drug trafficking offenses within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Whittenburg is one of four individuals who pleaded guilty in this case. Phillip Gray, 42, and John Gray, 39, both from Oak Hill, have also entered guilty pleas related to methamphetamine distribution. Phillip Gray admitted to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; John Gray pleaded guilty to distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine. Both are scheduled for sentencing on September 24, 2025. Another defendant, Daemien Thompson, 39, also from Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and will be sentenced on September 26, 2025.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston stated: “Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.”
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.
Further information about this case can be found through PACER by searching Case No. 5:24-cr-31.
