Bluefield Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - Landon Joseph Cartwright, 22, of Bluefield, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 13, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Cartwright's residence in Bluefield and seized approximately 443 grams of methamphetamine. As part of his guilty plea, Cartwright admitted that he possessed the seized methamphetamine and intended to distribute it.

Cartwright is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which consists of members of the West Virginia State Police, the Bluefield Police Department, the Princeton Police Department, the Mercer County Sheriff's Office, the McDowell County Sheriff's Office, and the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-115.