Berkeley County Drug Ring Leader Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges

U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced that Delano Alan Butler, 45, has pleaded guilty to leading an armed drug trafficking operation in Berkeley County, West Virginia. Butler admitted to conspiring to distribute significant quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The plea agreement includes the forfeiture of numerous firearms seized as part of the investigation. This case is part of a broader federal initiative aimed at dismantling drug cartels and violent criminal organizations.

According to court documents, Butler orchestrated a group of six individuals responsible for the distribution of these illicit substances. He also maintained a specific property within Berkeley County that served as a hub for these illegal activities. As part of his plea, Butler has agreed to forfeit several weapons recovered from the operation, including six semi-automatic rifles, two semi-automatic pistols, and one semi-automatic shotgun. These firearms were linked to the drug trafficking ring. The U.S. Attorney’s Office highlighted that fentanyl, a highly potent and dangerous opioid, has been designated as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality, posing a significant threat to public safety.

Four of Butler’s associates have also entered guilty pleas and are currently awaiting sentencing. Butler himself faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 180 to 288 months. The final determination of his sentence will be made by a federal district court judge, who will consider federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is leading the prosecution for the government.

The investigation and subsequent charges were the result of a collaborative effort involving numerous law enforcement agencies. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force served as the primary investigative unit. Significant assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with contributions from its Pittsburgh, San Francisco, San Juan, and Philadelphia Field Offices. Other agencies involved included the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration (including its Louisville and Chicago Divisions), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, and the Martinsburg Police Department. Local law enforcement agencies that participated in the investigation include the Ranson Police Department, Charles Town Police Department, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The West Virginia Air National Guard, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, Grant County Sheriff’s Department, Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department, and Keyser Police Department also provided support. Additionally, law enforcement agencies from neighboring states, including the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force in Virginia, Pennsylvania State Police, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Pennsylvania, Winchester Police Department in Virginia, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, and Virginia State Police, were involved in the multi-jurisdictional effort. The Sunnyvale Police Department in California also contributed to the investigation.

This case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice designed to combat cartels and transnational criminal organizations, as well as to protect communities from violent crime and drug trafficking. Individuals involved in drug trafficking operations, especially those involving potent substances like fentanyl, can face severe federal penalties. The extensive list of cooperating agencies underscores the complex and widespread nature of drug trafficking networks and the coordinated response required to address them.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia

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