Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Federal Meth Conspiracy

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pled guilty today in federal court for his role in a conspiracy that involved large quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron and sold in West Virginia,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Aaron Thompson, 35, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

“Thompson was part of a major drug network that was bringing large amounts of meth into West Virginia from Akron,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “I commend our law enforcement partners for helping us close off this drug pipeline.”

Thompson admitted that between the May and September of 2019, he participated in a conspiracy with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Huntington area.  During the conspiracy, Thompson repeatedly obtained quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron to Huntington.  Thompson relied on multiple individuals from Akron to deliver the methamphetamine to him and Thompson would in turn distribute the methamphetamine to various customers in Huntington.  Thompson admitted that he knew some of his customers intended to re-distribute the methamphetamine they were purchasing.  Thompson also admitted that he was responsible for distributing up to 500 grams of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.   

Thompson faces 5 to 40 years in prison when sentenced on June 1, 2020.

This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Ona Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.