Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking Organization

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Joe Sidney Cross, 44, of Huntington, was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl. Cross admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed fentanyl, cocaine base, and methamphetamine in the Huntington area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 13, 2025, Cross sold approximately 3.5 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $220 in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Cross admitted that he arranged the transaction beforehand and conducted the drug deal in the confidential informant's vehicle.

Cross also admitted to conspiring with another individual to conduct additional transactions on March 20 and March 24, 2025. During each transaction, Cross sold a firearm and co-conspirator Erin Leigh Keeney sold approximately 1 gram of carfentanil to a confidential informant. Cross further admitted to selling 8.45 grams of fentanyl on May 22, 2025, and approximately 11.44 grams of fentanyl on June 12, 2025, each time to a confidential informant in Huntington.

On September 11, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Huntington residence while Cross was present and seized approximately 12.35 grams of suspected cocaine base, also known as "crack." Cross admitted that he intended to sell the seized crack.

Cross and Keeney are among seven individuals indicted following a federal investigation of drug trafficking in the Huntington area. All seven defendants pleaded guilty. Keeney, 42, of Huntington, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28, 2026, after pleading guilty to distribution of carfentanil.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Huntington Police Department, and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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 PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-161.

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