All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Upshur man sentenced to 15 years in jail on meth, firearms charges

Jail Prison

ELKINS, W.Va. – Thunderbolt Dean Whaley, of French Creek, was sentenced Wednesday to 180 months incarceration for distributing methamphetamine and a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Whaley, 41, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute More than 50 grams of Methamphetamine,” and one count of “Carrying a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime” in January 2018.

He admitted to conspiring with others in distributing methamphetamines in Upshur County and elsewhere from March 2016 to September 2017. Whaley also admitted to carrying a .38 special revolver during a drug crime in Lewis County in July 2017.

In other federal court news, Marlin E. Beckner, of Buckhannon, was sentenced Wednesday to 63 months incarceration for methamphetamine distribution charge, according to Powell.

Beckner, 44, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” in August 2018. Beckner admitted to possessing crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice, in September 2017 in Upshur County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives; the Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force; the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; Upshur County Sheriff’s Office; Lewis County Sheriff’s Office; the Buckhannon Police Department; and the Weston Police Department investigated.

The investigations were funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided over both cases.

 

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Soccer ‘Cats tumble to unbeaten Charleston, 2-0

Unbeaten Charleston defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 2-0 as early goals by Allan Logrillo and Martin Echarren proved decisive despite Matteo Marciani’s four saves and Wesleyan’s late offensive push.

Wesleyan women lose nail-biter to Charleston, 3-2

Wesleyan rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie Charleston in the second half but conceded a 61st-minute winner and lost 3-2 at Culpepper Stadium.
WVWC Tennis

Wesleyan tennis teams sweep Ashland

Wesleyan’s men’s and women’s tennis teams swept Ashland on Homecoming weekend, with the men winning 7-0 and later beating Kutztown 6-1, and the women prevailing 6-1 over Ashland on Sept. 26.

Buckhannon board approves new playground equipment and pickleball court fence

The Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board approved purchasing playground equipment for North Riverfront Park and a new fence around the City Park pickleball court after hearing updates on needed repairs and timelines from city staff.

Upshur among 10 counties to receive drought designation by USDA, eligible for emergency loan assistance

Ten West Virginia counties, including Upshur, have been designated disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, making farm operators in those counties and adjoining counties eligible for Farm Service Agency emergency loan assistance.

West Virginia Wesleyan College WE LEAD Invisible Illness team to host annual suicide prevention walk

West Virginia Wesleyan College’s WE LEAD Invisible Illness team will host its annual Suicide Prevention Walk Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., inviting students and community members to join a campus luminary walk, receive resources, and hear a keynote on mental health.

On the City of Buckhannon calendar: September 29 – October 3, 2025

Buckhannon City announces public meetings, yard waste collection, weekly farmers market, upcoming community events and parades, a new water treatment project, public safety PSA, and cultural and fundraising events through December 2026.

Mary Jo Stevens Sharp

Mary Jo Stevens Sharp, 89, of Volga, WV, died peacefully at home Sept. 28, 2025; she is survived by her son Robert and granddaughter Lisa Marie and will be buried Oct. 2 at Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: October 2, 2025

Buckhannon City Council will hold a meeting on October 2, 2025, and this article publishes the meeting agenda.