Mark Anderson Staples, a 53-year-old resident of Beckley, West Virginia, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization. After serving his sentence, Staples will be subject to three years of supervised release. He admitted to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine base (crack) in Beckley and other parts of the Southern District of West Virginia.
Court records show that between April and May 2024, Staples obtained methamphetamine from others and distributed it directly to customers as well as through co-conspirators. In total, he provided at least 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.
Staples was one of twelve individuals indicted on charges related to distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack within the region from June 2023 to May 2024. All remaining defendants have pleaded guilty; two did so on separate offenses instead of those originally charged.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the sentencing and praised the efforts of several law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation: “I commend the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.”
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk handed down Staples’ sentence. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess along with Former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell.
The case stemmed from an investigation under the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). This program began in 1982 with a focus on disrupting major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations by leveraging federal resources alongside state and local law enforcement partners.
Additional information about this case can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-90.
