Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug and Gun Crimes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Justin Dale Graves, 44, of St. Albans, was sentenced today to nine years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 30, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Graves' residence in St. Albans and seized over 3.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, a loaded Hi-Point model C-9 9mm pistol, a loaded Glock model 19 9mm pistol, 37.69 grams of fentanyl, 17.17 grams of cocaine, 2.29 grams of heroin, two digital scales, various rounds of live ammunition, a drug ledger, and $1,190.

As part of his guilty plea, Graves admitted that he possessed the seized methamphetamine and intended to distribute it, and possessed the seized firearms to protect himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds. Graves further admitted that he sold approximately 27.21 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $225 in St. Albans on October 29, 2024, the day before the execution of the search warrant.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

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 PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-19.

###