Detroit Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Joe Dante Townsend, 32, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 11, 2024, Townsend was a backseat passenger in a vehicle pulled over by law enforcement officers on the 1600 block of 9th Avenue in Huntington. Officers searched the vehicle during the traffic stop and found a backpack in the backseat containing approximately 499 grams of cocaine. Townsend admitted that the backpack belonged to him, and that he had transported the cocaine by bus from Detroit to Huntington, where he intended to distribute the cocaine for money.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney 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. 3:24-cr-115.

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