The Inter-Mountain photo by Taylor McKinnie Jonathan Jacob Ross was sentenced on April 16 in Randolph County Circuit Court.

ELKINS – A Randolph County man has been sentenced to two to 30 years for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and heroine.

Jonathan Jacob Ross, 40, was sentenced on April 16 by Randolph County Circuit Court Judge Jaymie Wilfong to one to 15 years in a state penitentiary for one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and one to 15 years in a state penitentiary for one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, heroin. Both sentences will run consecutively.

On Feb. 11, Jonathan Ross entered into a plea agreement to plead guilty to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to deliver heroine, both felonies. He was initially indicted in October by the Randolph County Grand Jury on three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and one count of conspiracy, a felony.

Before Jonathan Ross was sentenced, his attorney, Paul Gwaltney, asked Wilfong to consider running his client’s sentences concurrently and recommending that Jonathan Ross be assigned to a work camp. Gwaltney spoke highly of Jonathan Ross’ transition while in jail, highlighting how his client has not used drugs since his arrest and instead had focused on improving himself. Gwaltney stated that Jonathan Ross realized that being arrested “saved his life.”

Gwaltney explained that Jonathan Ross wanted to be assigned to a work camp, preferably one outside of Randolph County, so that he could earn money for after his release to begin a new life away from Elkins. As Gwaltney stated, Jonathan Ross knows that being in Elkins is “not good for him” as he does not want to be around the same influences he had when he was using drugs.

Jonathan Ross also addressed the court, apologizing for his actions and explaining how programming in the jail has helped him open his eyes.

“I’m truly sorry for what I’ve done,” Jonathan Ross told the court.

Jonathan Ross also echoed Gwaltney’s statements on how being in jail saved his life and how he did not wish to stay in Elkins. He told Wilfong that he would be fine with whatever sentence she decided on as, either way, he would continue to educate himself.

As per the Feb. 11 plea agreement, Randolph County Assistant Prosecutor Richard Shryock did not offer a sentencing recommendation from the state.

As she was sentencing Jonathan Ross, Wilfong explained that she would not recommend him for a work camp as she would rather he consider attending long term rehabilitation first. Wilfong stated that she would not add rehabilitation to his sentence as he did not asked for it, however, she suggested that, if he wanted to go to long term rehabilitation during his sentences, he could have Gwaltney file a Rule 35B asking her to reconsider adding rehabilitation to his sentence.

Jonathan Jacob Ross was arrested December 2024 alongside his brother, Steven Robert Ross, 41, after officers with the Elkins City Police Department executed a search warrant and found fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin and items used in drug distribution in their home. Steven Ross was initially indicted in October by the Randolph County Grand Jury on three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and one count of conspiracy, both felonies.

Shryock, who represented the state in both cases against Jonathan Ross and Steven Ross, told The Inter-Mountain that Steven Ross was sentenced on April 15 by Wilfong to one to 15 years in a state penitentiary for one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and one to 15 years in a state penitentiary for one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, heroin. Both sentences will run consecutively and he must pay a $5,000 for each count.