HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Huntington man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, cocaine base and methamphetamine in the Huntington area.
Joe Sidney Cross, 44, was sentenced Monday to three years and five months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
According to court documents, Cross sold approximately 3.5 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $220 in Huntington on May 13, 2025. Cross admitted that he arranged the transaction beforehand and conducted the sale inside the informant’s vehicle.
Cross also admitted to participating in additional transactions with co-conspirator Erin Leigh Keeney on March 20 and March 24, 2025. During each transaction, Cross sold a firearm while Keeney sold approximately one gram of carfentanil to a confidential informant.
Federal prosecutors said Cross also sold 8.45 grams of fentanyl on May 22, 2025, and approximately 11.44 grams on June 12, 2025, to a confidential informant in Huntington.
On Sept. 11, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Huntington residence where Cross was present and seized approximately 12.35 grams of suspected cocaine base, commonly known as crack. Cross admitted that he intended to sell the drugs.
Cross and Keeney were among seven people indicted following a federal investigation into drug trafficking in the Huntington area. All seven defendants have pleaded guilty.
Keeney, 42, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to distribution of carfentanil and is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 28.
U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed Cross’ sentence. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Huntington Police Department and Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
