Michael Eugene Ginther, a 42-year-old resident of Charleston, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The plea was entered in federal court on August 11, 2025.
Court records indicate that on April 24, 2024, Ginther was found with approximately 98.58 grams of methamphetamine in the Charleston area. He admitted during proceedings that he intended to distribute the drug.
At the time of his arrest, Ginther was already serving a term of supervised release following a previous conviction for conspiracy to distribute at least five grams of methamphetamine. That earlier plea occurred in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on August 2, 2018.
Ginther is scheduled for sentencing on November 10, 2025. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could receive up to life in prison. Additional penalties include at least five years of supervised release and a fine that could reach $10 million.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the plea and acknowledged the efforts of both the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Marshals Service in investigating the case.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over Monday’s hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is handling prosecution duties.
Additional information about this case can be accessed through PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-33 via the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.
