Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Joseph Daniel Skeens, 35, of St. Albans, was sentenced today to seven years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 17, 2023, Skeens sold approximately 2.5 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for a new Rigid impact wrench that was still in its original packaging.

Skeens admitted to the transaction and further admitted to at least three additional transactions from October 2, 2023, through November 22, 2023, during which he distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine in exchange for money or items of value such as tools and groceries that were shoplifted at his direction. The transactions occurred at or near Skeens' residence in St. Albans.

The transactions by Skeens also included the sale of 3.46 grams of fentanyl in exchange for $50 on October 2, 2023, the sale of 1.34 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for a Rigid rotary power hammer on November 18, 2023, and approximately 1 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for approximately $100 worth of groceries on November 22, 2023. Each transaction was with a confidential informant.

On October 2, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Skeens on Interstate 64 near Hurricane and seized approximately 220.98 grams of methamphetamine from the vehicle. On October 23, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Skeens in Charleston and seized approximately 54.63 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm from the vehicle.

Skeens has a long criminal history with multiple prior convictions including for attempt to manufacture a controlled substance and possession of a stolen vehicle.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department and the assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum 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. 2:23-cr-200.

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