Maurice Kelly Johnson, also known as “Reese,” age 58, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, on May 22, 2025, Johnson provided a Smith & Wesson model M&P Shield M2.0 9mm pistol that was sold to a confidential informant in Huntington. As part of his plea agreement, Johnson admitted to possessing the firearm and giving it to co-defendant Earl Michael Myers for the transaction.
Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Johnson was aware he could not possess a firearm due to previous felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base in cases from November 23, 1999, and September 4, 1992, both in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Johnson and Myers are among several people indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, and methamphetamine in Huntington between March and August 2025.
Myers (“Mike”), age 45 of Huntington, pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026, to distribution of cocaine base and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He is scheduled for sentencing on May 4, 2026. Another co-defendant Erin Leigh Keeney (41) pleaded guilty on December 15, 2025, to distribution of carfentanil; her sentencing is set for March 30, 2026. Two other individuals were indicted separately as part of this investigation. Donovan Dewayne Pauley (20) pleaded guilty on October 27, 2025, to possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun; his sentencing is scheduled for February 9, 2026.
Charges against remaining defendants are pending. The indictment is an allegation only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Johnson’s sentencing is set for May 4, 2026. He faces up to fifteen years in prison along with at least three years supervised release and a possible fine up to $250,000.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the plea deal and commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Huntington Police Department and Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force for their work.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing while Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America,” according to the press release. “a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
Additional information about this case can be found by searching Case No. 3:25-cr-161 on PACER.
