Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Samuel Jermaine Caples, also known as "EJ," 25, of Pontiac, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 9, 2026, Caples sold approximately 216.7 grams of 100 percent pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant at a Huntington residence in exchange for $1,600. As part of his guilty plea, Caples admitted that he conducted the transaction after the confidential informant arranged it with another individual.

Caples further admitted that he sold a mixture containing approximately 30.18 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $450 on December 2, 2025, and sold approximately 7.11 grams of fentanyl in exchange for $800 on January 14, 2026. Each transaction took place in Huntington.

Caples is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff's Office.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams and third-year law student intern Chloe A. Bailey are prosecuting the case.

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. 3:26-cr-43.

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