Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Jeremiah Telmon-Isaiah Hand, also known as "Joey," 29, of Inkster, Michigan, was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 17, 2024, Hand sold approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $180 to a confidential informant near Ritter Park in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Hand admitted to conducting the transaction, to arranging it beforehand, and that co-defendant Madison Grant Sergent was with him during the transaction.

Hand also admitted to additional criminal conduct as part of his guilty plea. On July 22, 2024, a law enforcement officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Hand in Huntington. Hand admitted that he was driving the vehicle, that he possessed $1,465 in proceeds from distributing methamphetamine, and that co-defendant Rakai Travall Hawkins was a passenger in the vehicle.

Hawkins, also known as "G," 31, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced on November 3, 2025, to eight years and one month in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Sergent, 27, of Huntington, pleaded guilty on October 20, 2025, to aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2026.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), an enforcement surge that has sought to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.

This case is also 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 PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-51.