John Ladelle Puryear, a 50-year-old resident of Huntington, West Virginia, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. After serving his sentence, he will also be subject to three years of supervised release.
The sentencing follows an incident on January 16, 2025, when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Puryear’s apartment in Huntington. During the search, authorities seized about 299 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of fentanyl, and 8 grams of crack cocaine. Officers also found three firearms—a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm pistol, a Colt MK IV Series 80 .45-caliber pistol, and a Ruger LCF .380-caliber pistol—along with digital scales and approximately $6,487 in cash. As part of his guilty plea, Puryear admitted that he possessed these controlled substances.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the sentencing and recognized the efforts of both the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department in investigating the case.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
Further details about this case can be accessed through PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-125 on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.
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