Desean Lamar Briscoe, 35, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl in federal court in Huntington, West Virginia. Briscoe admitted to selling approximately 3 grams of what he claimed was heroin to a confidential informant for $225 on March 3, 2025. Testing by the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory later confirmed the substance was fentanyl.
Briscoe also acknowledged arranging and carrying out this transaction. Additionally, he admitted to selling another substance believed to be heroin for $50 on March 11, 2025; laboratory analysis showed that this second substance contained cocaine base (crack).
At the time of these offenses, Briscoe was already under supervised release following a previous conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm from November 18, 2020.
Briscoe is scheduled for sentencing on May 4, 2026. He faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a possible fine of up to $1 million.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the plea and praised the investigative efforts by the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department. “United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.
Further details about this case can be found through PACER by searching Case No. 3:25-cr-183.
