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Clarksburg Today
By the People, for the People
4 Admit to Trafficking Drugs in North Central West Virginia
Defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to meth and fentanyl distribution
Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:10pm
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Four individuals have pleaded guilty in federal court this week for their roles in drug trafficking operations, including the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, throughout north central West Virginia. The defendants, who range in age from 35 to 57, face significant prison sentences for their crimes.
Why it matters
The opioid crisis and the proliferation of dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl continue to be major public health and public safety issues in West Virginia, which has one of the highest overdose death rates in the country. These guilty pleas represent an effort by federal law enforcement to disrupt drug trafficking networks and hold dealers accountable for fueling the crisis.
The details
According to court documents, the defendants admitted to various roles in drug distribution schemes, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and firearms charges related to drug crimes. The drugs were being trafficked throughout north central West Virginia, including in the Fairmont, Montrose, Huttonsville, and Lewis County areas.
- The guilty pleas were entered this week in federal court.
- The drug trafficking activities took place over an unspecified period of time prior to the arrests.
The players
Michelle Denise Gallo
A 57-year-old resident of Fairmont, West Virginia who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.
Lisa Dawn Andrews
A 40-year-old resident of Montrose, West Virginia who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Justin Michael Hoover
A 35-year-old resident of Huttonsville, West Virginia who pleaded guilty to distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Shawn Galin Whitley, Jr.
A 35-year-old resident of Charlotte, North Carolina who pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Matthew Harvey
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia who announced the guilty pleas.
What they’re saying
“These cases were investigated by the Mountain Region Drug Task Force, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lewis County Sheriff's Department.”
— Matthew Harvey, U.S. Attorney
What’s next
The defendants will be sentenced at a later date, at which time the judge will determine the appropriate prison terms based on federal sentencing guidelines and the specifics of each case.
The takeaway
The guilty pleas in these drug trafficking cases underscore the ongoing efforts by federal law enforcement to combat the opioid crisis and disrupt the flow of dangerous narcotics into West Virginia communities. However, the persistence of the problem highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach that also addresses underlying social and economic factors driving substance abuse.
