'Major' Harrison County meth source sentenced to 35 years in prison

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — A Harrison County man who investigators called a “major source of meth” has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison.

According to a press release issued Saturday by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, Joseph Herbert Hobbs, 42, of Reynoldsville, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Federal prosecutors said Hobbs worked with a network of distributors to sell methamphetamine.

A federal grand jury indicted Hobbs in 2020 after he was accused of selling more than two and a half pounds of methamphetamine for a total of $12,250 in Harrison County. He was also accused of possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in Harrison County, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Hobbs was also named in a new indictment against six people for a series of drug-related charges. You can view the superseding indictment here.

Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government, and the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.