CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayette County man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Joshua Lee Parsons, 42, of Powellton, admitted to ordering controlled substances on the dark web and having the controlled substances shipped to him at his residence. On February 24, 2021, the United States Customs and Border Protection at the John F. Kennedy International Mail Center in New York seized approximately 49 grams of heroin from an inbound international parcel addressed to Parsons and his residence. On March 1, 2021, the United States Customs and Border Protection at the John F. Kennedy International Mail Facility seized approximately 34 grams of MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, from another inbound international parcel addressed to Parsons and his residence. On March 8, 2021, several law enforcement agencies conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel and executed a search warrant at Parsons’ residence. During the search, officers recovered a loaded Hi-Point .380-caliber handgun and multiple controlled substances including approximately 66 grams of methamphetamine packaged in 103 separate bags, approximately 27 grams of heroin, and quantities of MDMA, ketamine, LSD, psilocin, and DMT.

Parsons admitted that he intended to sell the methamphetamine. Parsons told officers that he had another parcel that contained methamphetamine that he ordered and had shipped to him at his residence. On March 15, 2021, law enforcement intercepted that parcel, which contained approximately 223 grams of methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Customs and Border Protection, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the West Virginia State Police, the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, the Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), and the West Virginia National Guard Reconnaissance and Aerial Interdiction Detachment.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Cremeans prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-93.