Beckley Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

BECKLEY, W.Va. - Michael Dwayne Kelly II, 34, of Beckley, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 27, 2022, Kelly sold approximately 6.9 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $700 at Kelly's residence in Beckley. Kelly admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling approximately 28 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant for $500 at his residence, on February 20, 2022.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kelly's residence on February 17, 2022, and seized 189 grams of fentanyl, 56 grams of cocaine, 27 grams of heroin, a Ruger LCP .380-caliber handgun, a Taurus model 22LR handgun, a Sig Sauer model 1911 .45-caliber handgun, a Glock model 42 .380-caliber handgun and $13,046. Kelly admitted that he intended to distribute the seized drugs in and around the Southern District of West Virginia.

Kelly is scheduled to be sentenced on August 23, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.

Co-defendant Savannah Elizabeth Todd, 31, of Beckley, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and heroin on March 1, 2024.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-163.

###