Prosecutors: New York man sentenced in drug distribution scheme with West Virginia man

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — A New York man has been sentenced to nearly two decades in prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams methamphetamine in West Virginia, court records said.

Brian Ellis Jones, 44, of Freeport was sentenced to 18 years after he sent 11 packages containing methamphetamines from March to June 2023 to Jason Todd Painter, 40, of Clendenin, West Virginia, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of West Virginia.

Jones admitted that the packages contained at least 33 pounds of the drug. Prosecutors said Painter kept some for himself, while Jones instructed him on deliveries throughout Kanawha County or would pick it up.

Authorities intercepted one of the packages sent through the United States Postal Service in July 2023 which led to the arrest of Jones.

Painter was previously sentenced in November to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the same charges.

Jones’ 18-year sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.