West Virginia men admit to drug and firearms charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two West Virginia men have pled guilty to charges involving methamphetamine distribution and illegal possession of a firearm.

John Marshall Jones, III, 37, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, pled guilty today to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. David Allen Starkey, 36, of Flemington, West Virginia, pled guilty today to the unlawful possession of a firearm. Starkey had prior felony convictions in Barbour County, preventing him from having firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, officers were executing an arrest warrant for Jones for a parole violation at a home in Barbour County. Jones and Starkey were hiding inside the home, where officers also found an assault rifle, a handgun, and methamphetamine.

Jones faces at least 5 and up to 40 years in prison. Starkey faces up to 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Mountain Region Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the United States Marshals Service; and the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.