BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Beckley man was sentenced today to more than 11 years in federal prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl and crack cocaine in the region.
Ronald Lavaughn Mason, 46, received a sentence of 11 years and eight months, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, also known as “crack.”
Mason admitted to playing a key role in the operation, which dealt methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack throughout Beckley and other areas of the Southern District of West Virginia.
Court records show that Mason conspired with others to distribute drugs in April and May 2024.
Law enforcement intercepted phone calls during that time in which Mason arranged deals involving cocaine and fentanyl with up to 11 different people.
He admitted to supplying drugs to others for redistribution and either delivered the substances himself or had individuals pick them up from his Beckley home.
On April 9, 2024, Mason sold a half-ounce of drugs to co-defendant Tilford Joe Bradley Jr. while parked in Mason’s vehicle in Beaver. Law enforcement witnessed the exchange during surveillance.
A search of Mason’s residence on May 30, 2024, turned up large quantities of drugs and cash: approximately 540 grams of cocaine, 324 grams of fentanyl analogue, 228 grams of fentanyl, and $10,293 in cash.
Mason admitted that the drugs were his and that he intended to sell them. Mason has two prior federal drug trafficking convictions.
He and Bradley were among 12 individuals indicted for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack between June 2023 and May 2024.
All 12 have pleaded guilty, including two who accepted plea agreements for other charges.
Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the sentence and praised the investigative work of the FBI, the ATF, and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. Chief U.S. District Judge Frank W. Volk handed down the sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.
