Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime (DOJ)

BECKLEY, W.Va. - Leondus Whittenburg, 43, of Beckley, was sentenced today to seven years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 6, 2023, Whittenburg sold 320 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in the parking lot of a Beckley business near Eisenhower Drive.

Whittenburg has a criminal history that includes multiple prior felony convictions including for drug trafficking in the Southern District of West Virginia.

Whittenburg is among four defendants who pleaded guilty in the case. Phillip Gray, 42, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and John Gray, 39, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine and both are scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2025. Daemien Thompson, 39, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted 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. 5:24-cr-31.

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