Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Multi-State Meth Conspiracy

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Melanie Lynne Curnutte, 58, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  She was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in September 2019.

According to the plea agreement, between the fall of 2018 and September of 2019, Curnutte conspired with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Huntington and Charleston areas.  During the conspiracy, Curnutte repeatedly obtained quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron to Huntington.  She relied on multiple individuals from Akron to deliver the methamphetamine to her and she would in turn distribute the methamphetamine to various customers.  Curnutte admitted that she was aware some of her customers also intended to distribute the methamphetamine she provided to them. 

Curnutte faces 10 years to life in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 6, 2021. 

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 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.

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. 3:19-cr-00245.