Wood County man pleads guilty to federal drug crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Wood County man pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal methamphetamine crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Joseph Daniel Mills, 39, of Walker, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Mills admitted that on May 12, 2017, members of the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force, along with FBI agents, executed a search warrant at his residence in Walker. Among other items, law enforcement seized approximately 10 ounces of methamphetamine, 21 firearms, body armor, and scales. Mills further admitted that he stored and distributed methamphetamine in his residence and possessed the firearms, in part, to protect his drugs and drug proceeds. 

Mills faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 30, 2017.

The Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Thomas E. Johnston.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime. This case is also part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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