CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Detroit native LaShawn Monroe, 31, was sentenced to life in federal prison for leading a multi-state drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl and other controlled substances across five states, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced.
According to federal authorities, Monroe operated a drug trafficking network that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin throughout West Virginia, Michigan, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Prosecutors said Monroe recruited couriers to transport drugs from California to West Virginia and Michigan. He also managed a network of at least eight redistributors who sold the drugs in Monongalia and Marion counties with an estimated street value of $812,000.
Authorities said Monroe maintained two residences in West Virginia — one in Morgantown and a stash house in Fairmont.
Search warrants executed at both locations resulted in the seizure of:
- 7.54 kilograms of fentanyl
- 8.8 kilograms of methamphetamine
- 1.94 kilograms of cocaine
- 1.1 kilograms of crack cocaine
- 412 grams of heroin
- Three loaded firearms
Federal officials said the 7.54 kilograms of fentanyl seized from Monroe is among the largest fentanyl seizures in West Virginia. Prosecutors also alleged the quantity seized was enough to produce approximately 4.8 million potentially lethal doses, based on federal estimates.
The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, Morgantown Police Department and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Quick Facts
- Defendant: LaShawn Monroe, 31, of Detroit
- Sentence: Life in federal prison
- Conviction: Leading a multi-state drug trafficking organization
- States involved: West Virginia, Michigan, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania
- Estimated street value: Approximately $812,000
- Fentanyl seized: 7.54 kilograms
- Methamphetamine seized: 8.8 kilograms
- Other drugs seized: Cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin
- Firearms seized: Three loaded firearms
- West Virginia locations: Morgantown and Fairmont
Fact Checklist
✅ LaShawn Monroe is 31 years old and from Detroit.
✅ He was sentenced to life in federal prison.
✅ The trafficking organization operated in five states.
✅ Monroe recruited couriers to transport drugs from California.
✅ Authorities said Monroe managed at least eight redistributors.
✅ The operation supplied drugs in Monongalia and Marion counties.
✅ Searches recovered 7.54 kg of fentanyl, 8.8 kg of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and three loaded firearms.
✅ Federal officials described the fentanyl seizure as one of the largest in West Virginia