Beckley man pleads guilty to fentanyl distribution

Beckley, WV (WOAY)- A Beckley man has pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy.

36-year-old Justin Scott Keyes confessed to conspiring with another individual to sell fentanyl in and around the Southern District of West Virginia between October 2024 and January 2025. 

According to court documents, Keyes and his co-conspirator sold more than 12 grams of fentanyl across four separate transactions to a confidential informant. 

Authorities say those deals took place at the Beckley home, where Keyes was living.

Investigators also say his co-conspirator coordinated each sale. 

Then, on January 29th, officers executed a search warrant at Keyes’ residence, recovering two 9mm Ruger and Taurus pistols.

Keyes told investigators he had traded drugs for both firearms. 

Keyes now faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to one million dollars, and at least three years of supervised release.

His sentencing is scheduled for January 9, 2026.