James Garner, 35, of Huntington, has pleaded guilty to distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine. Garner admitted to being part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Huntington area.
Court documents show that on January 17, 2025, Garner sold about 50 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $350. As part of his plea, he acknowledged that co-defendant Joshua Willie McCarver directed the informant to a Baer Street residence where the sale took place.
Garner also admitted to two other sales: about 51 grams of methamphetamine for $350 on January 22, 2025, and about 336 grams for $2,400 on February 21, 2025. Both transactions occurred at the same Baer Street location after being arranged by McCarver.
On May 31, 2025, law enforcement stopped a vehicle in which Garner was a passenger. During the stop, he exited the car and discarded a bag containing roughly 459 grams of methamphetamine near the front passenger side. He returned to the vehicle when instructed but then fled on foot before being apprehended. Officers recovered both the discarded bag and another bag with about 49.8 grams of fentanyl from inside the vehicle. Garner admitted he intended to distribute both substances for money.
Sentencing is set for March 16, 2026. Garner faces at least five years and up to forty years in prison as well as at least four years supervised release and a possible fine up to $5 million.
Garner is one of ten people indicted for alleged participation in this drug trafficking group. Both he and co-defendant Jackie Dwayne Lucas have pleaded guilty; charges against McCarver and others remain pending. The indictment is an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced these developments and praised efforts by federal agents from the FBI and DEA as well as local law enforcement agencies including Cabell County Sheriff’s Office, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, and 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 case falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
Further details can be found through PACER by searching Case No. 3:25-cr-154 on PACER.
