Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Arthur Ray Elkins, 60, of Chesapeake, was sentenced today to nine years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 6, 2023, Elkins sold approximately 56 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Chesapeake in exchange for $700.

After conducting additional controlled buys of methamphetamine from Elkins, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence and his adjoining garage on March 15, 2023. During the search, officers found approximately 229 grams of methamphetamine, three firearms, and approximately $3,854. Elkins told officers that he sold methamphetamine on a regular basis, was a daily user of methamphetamine, and received the firearms as payment in exchange for methamphetamine.

On December 13, 2023, officers recovered an additional pound of methamphetamine from Elkins as part of their investigation.

Elkins has a long criminal history that includes prior felony convictions for breaking and entering, grand larceny, forgery, conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver marijuana, unarmed robbery, bank robbery, and conspiracy to steal U.S. Treasury checks from the United States Mail.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel D. Marsh 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. 2:24-cr-15.

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