Federal Sentences Handed Down for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Distribution in West Virginia

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia has announced the sentencing of three individuals for their roles in drug trafficking operations involving fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Eastern Panhandle region. These convictions stem from efforts to dismantle drug distribution networks that have been supplying dangerous substances to local communities. The sentences underscore the ongoing commitment of federal and local law enforcement to combat the pervasive threat of illicit drug sales and their impact on public safety.

In one significant case, Demarko Canty, a 23-year-old from Parkville, Maryland, received a sentence of 115 months in federal prison. Canty was found to be a key participant in a drug trafficking conspiracy responsible for distributing approximately 200,000 lethal doses of fentanyl. His role within the organization involved acting as a courier, delivering fentanyl and heroin to dealers operating in Hampshire and Mineral Counties, West Virginia. The illicit enterprise was reportedly distributing substantial quantities of a potent form of fentanyl, often referred to as “purple fentanyl,” throughout the region. The leader of this particular drug ring, Sean Jarred Davis of Baltimore, was previously sentenced to 240 months in prison in December 2024. In total, 20 other defendants involved in this broader case have been convicted and sentenced, accumulating over 41 years of combined imprisonment.

In separate legal proceedings, two individuals from West Virginia were also sentenced for their involvement in methamphetamine distribution. James Shanholtz, 38, of Springfield, West Virginia, was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison. Gregory Brian Harrison, 54, of Romney, West Virginia, received a sentence of 24 months. Both men were involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Hampshire County. These sentences are part of a broader effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address drug-related offenses that threaten the well-being of West Virginia communities.

The successful prosecution of these cases was facilitated by a collaborative effort involving numerous law enforcement agencies. Key investigative bodies included the Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Virginia State Police, and several county sheriff’s offices, including those in Mineral, Hampshire, Hardy, and Grant Counties, as well as the Keyser Police Department. This multi-agency approach highlights the complex and coordinated nature of modern drug enforcement operations.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been identified as a significant public health and safety crisis. Its extreme potency, capable of causing harm even in trace amounts, has led to its classification by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction. This case is being prosecuted as part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at dismantling drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations, protecting communities from violent crime, and addressing illegal immigration. The sentences handed down serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar criminal activities and reinforce the government’s resolve to combat drug trafficking.

U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over these proceedings.

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

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