OAK HILL, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Fayette County man has admitted to his role in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution ring that operated across southern West Virginia for over a year.
Daemien Thompson, 39, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a felony charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Federal prosecutors said Thompson was part of a drug trafficking network that operated from November 27, 2022, to December 6, 2023, distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine throughout the region. According to court documents, the conspiracy involved multiple drug deals, including one on November 27, 2022, when Thompson and a co-conspirator sold 446 grams of meth to a confidential informant for $2,600.
Thompson also admitted to his involvement in additional transactions, including controlled buys of high-purity methamphetamine on December 5 and 14, 2022, and February 2, 2023. In total, those sales involved approximately 2.59 pounds of meth.
As part of the plea agreement, Thompson confirmed that drug deals often took place at various locations, including a trailer park in Oak Hill, and that some transactions involved quantities of one pound or more.
Thompson is one of four defendants indicted in connection with the conspiracy. All have since pleaded guilty:
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Phillip Gray, 41, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. His sentencing is scheduled for August 8, 2025.
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Leondus Whittenburg, 43, of Beckley, pleaded guilty on March 3, 2025, to distributing 5 grams or more of meth. He will be sentenced on July 3, 2025.
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John Gray, 39, also of Oak Hill, admitted guilt on September 24, 2024, to distributing an unspecified quantity of methamphetamine. His sentencing date has not yet been announced.
Thompson will be sentenced on September 12, 2025. In addition to a possible life sentence, he faces at least five years of supervised release and up to a $10 million fine.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston praised the work of law enforcement in dismantling the trafficking operation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and Brian D. Parsons, along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew D. Isabell.
