A Shawsville man has been sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for drug distribution.
Last Thursday in the Montgomery County Circuit Court, 34-year-old Matthew Scott Pettus of Shawsville was convicted of two counts of distribution of a schedule II controlled substance, third or subsequent offense; distribution of a schedule II controlled substance, and conspiracy to distribute a schedule II controlled substance.
Pursuant to a plea agreement, Pettus was sentenced to a total of 80 years in prison and will serve 20 years, which is the mandatory minimum sentence for a third or subsequent offense of distributing a Schedule I or II controlled substance (10 years on each). Upon his release Pettus will be on probation for 15 years.
According to a statement released by the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney Patrick Jensen, Pettus was arrested after an undercover operation.
“During the late summer of 2025, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was conducting an undercover operation,” the statement reads. “Confidential informants working with them purchased methamphetamine from Mr. Pettus (on three occasions).”
Pettus was also “convicted of several other felony offenses that were unrelated to this operation.”
“The guilty plea that Mr. Pettus entered was a direct result of the comprehensive investigation conducted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office,” said Jensen. “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who deal drugs and endanger our community.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Wolz prosecuted the case.
Staff report
