Rakai Travall Hawkins, 30, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute significant amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The plea was entered on July 29, 2025, in Huntington, West Virginia.
According to court records and statements made during the hearing, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on 7th Street in Huntington on September 24, 2024. During the search, authorities seized approximately 211 grams of fentanyl, 484 grams of methamphetamine, 12 grams of crack cocaine, and a loaded stolen SCCY 9mm pistol. Hawkins admitted that he stored these substances at the residence and intended to distribute them for profit. He also acknowledged possessing the firearm to protect both the drugs and proceeds from their sale.
Hawkins further admitted involvement in additional criminal activity as part of his plea agreement. On July 22, 2024, police stopped a vehicle in which Hawkins was a passenger; they found about seven grams each of fentanyl and crack cocaine inside the vehicle. Hawkins intended to sell these drugs. Between August and September 2024, he sold approximately 58 grams of methamphetamine and over seven grams of fentanyl in multiple transactions around Huntington. In one instance involving fentanyl sales, Hawkins received the SCCY pistol as payment.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 3, 2025. Hawkins faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to forty years in prison. He could also receive at least four years of supervised release following incarceration and be fined up to $5 million.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the plea deal and praised the work conducted by both the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department: “Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.”
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over proceedings while Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.
The prosecution is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), an initiative aimed at reducing synthetic opioid distribution in areas most affected by such drugs.
Additionally, this case falls under Operation Take Back America—a national effort led by the Department of Justice that coordinates resources from various task forces including OCDETF (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) to address illegal immigration issues as well as combat drug cartels and violent crime organizations across communities.
Further details about this case can be accessed through public records searches for Case No. 3:25-cr-51 on PACER or via official releases from U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern District of West Virginia.
