FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An Oak Hill man will serve at least 16 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole after pleading guilty to fentanyl and drug conspiracy charges.
Clayton E. Prunest, 35, was sentenced Aug. 11 by Judge Thomas K. Fast to three to 15 years in prison for possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver and a consecutive five to 30 years for drug conspiracy, according to Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti Jr.
Because Prunest had two prior felony drug convictions, the court doubled both sentences. He previously was convicted of delivery of heroin in 2014 and delivery of methamphetamine in 2018.
Prunest pleaded guilty to the latest charges on June 29.
The case stems in part from a Nov. 4, 2025, traffic stop. Prosecutors said police stopped Prunest’s vehicle for a moving violation and learned he did not have a valid driver’s license. Officers also reportedly noticed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
A subsequent search allegedly uncovered multiple packages containing suspected controlled substances, along with $2,650 in cash that police suspected was proceeds from illegal drug trafficking.
Laboratory testing later confirmed the substances included 16.63 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, 53.36 grams of fentanyl mixed with ketamine and 2.06 grams of methamphetamine, according to prosecutors.
A second incident occurred March 1, 2026, when Prunest and two other people were traveling in a vehicle stopped by police for defective equipment.
After receiving consent to search the vehicle, police found suspected methamphetamine behind the radio, scales used to weigh drugs and baggies used for packaging, prosecutors said. Laboratory testing confirmed the substance was 131.35 grams of methamphetamine.
Charges against the two other individuals remain pending.
The West Virginia State Police and Fayette County Sheriff’s Office investigated the cases. Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer D. Crane prosecuted the case.
