Jeffrey Allen Jones, also known as “Ben,” of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty on Mar. 30 to federal charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address the distribution of illegal drugs and associated gun crimes in the region.
According to court documents and statements made in court, officers executed a search warrant at Jones’ residence in Huntington on March 7, 2025. They seized about 44 grams of fentanyl, approximately 23 grams of crack cocaine, and a loaded Glock .40-caliber pistol. Jones admitted he intended to distribute the drugs and possessed the firearm for protection related to his drug activities.
Jones also admitted that between January 2 and March 5, 2025, he sold fentanyl four times—each time about one gram—to a confidential informant at his Huntington residence for $80 per transaction. On December 17, officers arrested him at a local motel where they found more crack cocaine and fentanyl in his possession.
He is scheduled for sentencing on July 13. He faces up to twenty years in prison for the drug offenses and an additional consecutive term ranging from five years up to life imprisonment for the firearm charge. He could also receive up to five years supervised release and fines totaling $1.25 million.
United States Attorney Moore Capito commended both the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force as well as the Huntington Police Department for their investigative work on this case. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing while Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Taylor and Courtney L. Finney prosecuted.
