Akron Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Federal Methamphetamine Conspiracy

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio, man pleaded guilty today in connection with his role in a methamphetamine conspiracy. 

According to court documents, Tionte Lavon Blanchard, 25, admitted that from the fall of 2018 to June 2019, he and others participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine that was frequently shipped from Akron to various locations in West Virginia.  During the conspiracy, Blanchard utilized a residence on 25^th Street in Huntington to store methamphetamine after it arrived from Akron.  On June 6, 2019,  investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and seized over 1.7 kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine.  Blanchard admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine and intended to distribute it in the Huntington area. 

Blanchard pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and faces a mandatory minimum of at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 9, 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.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.