Keyser's biggest drug bust' case is closed
Some of the items confiscated as part of the investigation into a 2021 drug bust are shown in this submitted photo.
KEYSER, W.Va. (WV News) — What one law enforcement official called the biggest drug bust in Mineral County’s history ended almost two years ago with a dismissal in Mineral County Circuit Court.
Kenneth Eversole was released from custody in connection with the case, according to an Order for Dismissal that was filed in Mineral County Circuit Court.
Then prosecuting attorney Cody Pancake, on behalf of the state, moved to have the case dismissed without prejudice on Sept. 1, 2023. With the original charges being felonies to which there is no statute of limitations, the state can chose to prosecute at a later time if they chose to do so.
The case, which began in December 2021, faced several delays, including a motion for new representation that Eversole filed on his own behalf.
Eversole’s letter contended that he had not been able to contact his lawyer after numerous calls.
He also asserted his lawyer hadn’t provided him with court documents.
Eversole also wrote that he had not wanted to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, and stated that he had in fact not done so — although court records had a waiver of preliminary hearing on file that appeared to be signed.
Eversole also asked the court for a bond reduction hearing at that time and informed the courts that he had not received any court papers pertaining to his case.
The court records show that Eversole had been appointed new legal representation after the motion was filed, and was then represented by Lauren Wilson. Court records also showed that Eversole’s bond had been lowered from $175,000 cash only to $50,000 cash only before the case ultimately ended in a dismissal without prejudice.
Eversole, 44 at the time of his arrest, had been arrested late on the afternoon of Dec. 1, 2021, when law enforcement from a multitude of agencies conducted a search-and-seizure warrant on his residence at 197 Mozelle St. in Keyser.
The warrant was obtained through Circuit Court Judge J.W. Courrier.
Participating in the bust were members of the Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a Safe Streets/TOC West, and HIDTA-Funded Initiative consisting of the Keyser Police Department, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, West Virginia State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI.
According to Keyser Police chief Jared Bruce at that time, the officers confiscated approximately an ounce of cocaine base (crack), 10 ounces of cocaine HCL, two pounds of methamphetamine (ice / crystal meth), approximately 10,000 pressed fentanyl tablets, 150 pounds of marijuana, 327 THC vape cartridges, five firearms, three vehicles and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
The street value of the seized material was estimated at $372,700.
“I’ve been here since 1986, and this is the most narcotics I’ve seen in a bust,” then sheriff Forrest Ellifritz had told the News & Tribune.
Ellifritz, who previously worked in the Keyser Police Department, added that he definitely believed “it’s the biggest in the city of Keyser with all the combined drugs.”
“It’s definitely the biggest I’ve seen,” Chief Bruce said.
Ellifritz also stated at that time that the confiscated drugs definitely came from out of the area and were not manufactured locally.
“We’re not seeing meth labs here much anymore,” he said, to which Bruce added, “Fentanyl is the big issue now.”
Eversole was arrested at that time without incident during the bust and was transported to the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail in Augusta.
He was facing charges for manufacturing, delivering, and possession with intent to deliver manufactured narcotics scheduled I or II, before the dismissal.
There was also a Settlement and Disclosure on file in the Circuit Court dated Aug. 15, 2023. It was between the Potomac Highlands Task Force, the State of West Virginia. and Kenneth Robert Eversole, and stated that property seized by the task force on Dec. 1, 2022, was in the possession of Eversole. It further stated that it was the position of the task force and the state that said property was being used in violation of federal and or West Virginia law and was forfeitable.
It continued stating that it was the position of Kenneth Eversole that he claimed no knowledge of or any possessory or ownership interest in the said property and that further he wished to disclaim and waive any and all interest he had, if any, to the said property seized by the task force.
The task force and the state agreed to forego their right to bring and or maintain any forfeiture proceedings against the seized property found in the possession of Eversole. Eversole then agreed to assign, transfer and otherwise convey and and all rights, title, and interest in the seized property unto the state on behalf of the task force.
It was signed by Eversole and a representative of the task force and state. The list of seized property is as follows;
$920 in U.S currency
Savage Model III 7MM rifle
Marlin Model 25MN 22 WMR, with scope and sling
MA Lithgow 303 British
Phoenix Arms Model HP@%A .25 Caliber pistol with holster, one mag, and eight rounds
Smith and Wesson 32 WCF revolver with holster
A pink suitcase
Three electric scales
Miscellaneous bag of ammo
Mercedes key
LG tablet
A ballsistic vest
A press
Six counterfit $100 bills
Apple iPhone
Acetel phone
Trac phone
Cannon SX 540 HS camera
Samsung Galaxy A03 cell phone
Alesis Surge electric drum set
Two Edison pro 15” speakers
Kawasaki KLX 125
Kawasaki Ninja 650
Max IV 6 wheel drive vehicle
2004 Chevy 1500
No more additional information was available and the case was marked closed.
