Beckley Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Crime

BECKLEY, W.Va. - Justin Scott Keyes, 36, of Beckley, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between October 2024 and January 2025, Keyes conspired with another individual sell drugs in and around the Southern District of West Virginia. As part of his guilty plea, Keyes admitted that he and his co-conspirator sold a total of 12.34 grams of fentanyl on four occasions during the time period, each time to a confidential informant. Keyes further admitted that he conducted the hand-to-hand sales at the Beckley residence where he lived with his co-conspirator, and that his co-conspirator communicated with the confidential informant about each sale beforehand.

On January 29, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Keyes' residence and seized a Ruger model EC9s 9mm pistol and a Taurus model G3c 9mm pistol. Keyes admitted that the seized firearms belonged to him and that he had traded drugs for them.

Keyes is scheduled to be sentenced on January 9, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office, and the Beckley Police Department.

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin 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. 5:25-cr-73.

###