CHARLESTON, W.VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Montana), published as received.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jardan Donaldson, 37, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, was sentenced on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 4, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on the 1400 block of Quarrier Street in Charleston, West Virginia. Officers seized approximately 14.1 pounds of methamphetamine during the search. As part of his guilty plea, Donaldson admitted that he intended to assist in the distribution of the seized methamphetamine within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Donaldson further admitted that he assisted in preparing methamphetamine for distribution at the residence the day before officers executed the search warrant. Donaldson also admitted that he intended to assist in the distribution of additional quantities of fentanyl and metonitazene, a synthetic opioid, seized by law enforcement officers as a result of this investigation.
On July 24, 2024, a law enforcement officer in McCone County, Montana, conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Donaldson was a passenger. The officer encountered Donaldson laying across the rear floorboard of the vehicle on top of multiple bags of methamphetamine. The officer arrested Donaldson after determining he was the subject of an arrest warrant issued in the Southern District of West Virginia. The officer also obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and seized approximately 6.9 pounds of methamphetamine. An investigation revealed that Donaldson distributed controlled substances at the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana. As part of his plea agreement, Donaldson admitted to possessing the seized methamphetamine and consented to the disposition of the Montana offense in the Southern District of West Virginia.
Donaldson’s West Virginia co-defendant Justin Saunders, 28, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 21, 2026.
“This office, in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office in Montana, put a dangerous drug trafficker exactly where he belongs – behind bars,” said United States Attorney Moore Capito. “The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of his crimes, and we will continue to pursue the harshest lawful penalties for anybody who seeks to inflict such damage on our communities. We are not backing down – this work continues.”
Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Montana Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum and former Assistant United States Samuel D. Marsh prosecuted the case in coordination with Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey A. Sabol of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-32 in the Southern District of West Virginia and 1:24-cr-153 in the District of Montana.
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