Jardan Donaldson, 34, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to methamphetamine trafficking offenses committed in both West Virginia and Montana. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia reported that Donaldson admitted to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in Charleston, West Virginia, and in McCone County, Montana.
The charges stemmed from a February 4, 2024, search warrant executed at a residence on Quarrier Street in Charleston, where law enforcement officers discovered approximately 14.1 pounds of methamphetamine. Donaldson acknowledged that he helped prepare the drugs and planned to distribute them. In addition, he admitted to intending to assist in distributing fentanyl and metonitazene, a potent synthetic opioid, which was also seized during the investigation.
On July 24, 2024, law enforcement officers in McCone County, Montana, stopped a vehicle and found Donaldson lying on top of bags containing methamphetamine. During the traffic stop, they discovered approximately 6.9 pounds of methamphetamine and arrested Donaldson on an outstanding warrant issued in West Virginia. A subsequent search of the vehicle confirmed the seizure of the drugs.
Donaldson faces significant legal consequences, including a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a potential fine of up to $10 million. His sentencing is scheduled for August 4. Co-defendant Justin Saunders, 28, of Charleston, has already pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing on June 9.
