Bertram Sentenced for Crack Cocaine

Clarence William Bertram, 24, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 24 months incarceration for his role in distributing crack cocaine in the vicinity of a protected location.

According to Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, Bertram pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location” in November 2016. This guilty plea was the result of an investigation that revealed Bertram had been selling crack cocaine near Madison Elementary School in Ohio County, West Virginia.

The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey, reflects the seriousness of the offense. Distribution of crack cocaine is a felony that can have severe consequences, particularly when it occurs near schools or other protected locations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The investigation was conducted by the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. This task force has been instrumental in combating drug trafficking and violent crime in the region.

Bertram’s case highlights the ongoing issue of crack cocaine distribution in West Virginia. The state has struggled with high rates of drug abuse and overdose, and law enforcement agencies have been working to disrupt the supply of illicit substances. The sentence handed down in this case demonstrates the commitment of federal and local authorities to addressing this problem.

The use of federal resources to investigate and prosecute drug distribution cases is an important part of the effort to combat the opioid epidemic and other drug-related issues. By working together, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors can help to keep communities safe and hold offenders accountable for their actions.

In addition to the sentence, Bertram’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable locations, such as schools, from the influence of drug trafficking. The presence of illicit substances near these locations can have a devastating impact on young people and the broader community.

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