Burnette, Jones, Shuttlesworth Convicted in Oxycodone Ring

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Three individuals have been convicted for their involvement in a massive prescription painkiller distribution ring spanning from Pennsylvania to West Virginia. Timothy Charles Burnette, 45, Erik Jones, 27, and Terri Shuttlesworth, 24, all of West Virginia, were sentenced today by United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, following an intensive investigation.

An investigation by the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation uncovered that Burnette, Jones, and Shuttlesworth participated in a drug distribution operation involving prescription painkillers transported from Philadelphia to Morgantown for redistribution and sale.

Jones and Shuttlesworth, both from Morgantown, admitted to selling oxycodone in Monongalia County between late 2013 and early 2014. They have each pleaded guilty to one count of ‘Distribution of Oxycodone’ and face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00.

Burnette, also from Morgantown, confessed to using a telephone system to arrange the purchase of oxycodone pills in June 2014. He has pleaded guilty to one count of ‘Use of a Telephone to Facilitate the Distribution of Oxycodone’ and is looking at up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

The actual sentences imposed will be determined by the seriousness of the offenses and the defendants’ prior criminal history, if any, under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is prosecuting this case for the government, with U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull presiding over the hearings.