Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

BECKLEY, W.Va. - Emmanuel Covington, 34, of Charleston, was sentenced today to seven years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 30, 2025, Covington sold approximately 19.7 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Beckley. Covington admitted to the transaction as part of his guilty plea. Covington further admitted to selling a mixture containing methamphetamine and fentanyl on April 16, 2025, a quantity of fentanyl on May 6, 2025, and a mixture containing methamphetamine on June 4, 2025, each time to a confidential informant in Charleston.

On June 5, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Covington's Charleston residence and seized quantities of fentanyl and a mixture containing methamphetamine and a Ruger pistol.

Covington has a criminal history that includes prior convictions for drug offenses, domestic battery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of 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, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons 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 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. 5:25-cr-110.

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