United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia

07/11/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/11/2025 12:11

Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Crime

Press Release

Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Crime

Friday, July 11, 2025
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Michael Reynard Penn, 44, of Beckley, was sentenced today to two years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 17, 2023, Penn sold approximately 27 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $1,600 at his Beckley residence. Penn admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling fentanyl to the confidential informant on three other occasions at or outside his residence between August 23 and September 13, 2023.

On September 18, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Penn's residence and found 6.482 grams of cocaine, 162 grams of marijuana, a Ruger .380-caliber pistol and $4,889. The cash included $470 in pre-recorded money Penn received from the confidential informant during the controlled drug buys.

At the time of this offense, Penn was employed as a peer support counselor at a substance abuse treatment center. Penn has a criminal history that includes a previous conviction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston 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 Department, and the Beckley Police Department.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess 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-94.

###

Updated July 11, 2025
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Opioids
Component
USAO - West Virginia, Southern
United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia published this content on July 11, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 11, 2025 at 18:11 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io