Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Over 14 Years for Mercer County Drug Ring

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – In a major blow to the drug trade in Mercer County, Sezar Hamilton, 39, of Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison for his involvement in a notorious drug trafficking organization (DTO). United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced the sentence, which includes 174 months behind bars followed by three years of supervised release.

HAMILTON PUNISHED FOR DRUG RING IN MERCER COUNTY

“Great work by authorities in busting up this drug operation that was fueling pill dependency in our district,” Stuart said. “Hamilton is one of six individuals charged as a result of Operation X-Nation, and now he has over 14 years to contemplate the consequences of his actions.”

Hamilton admitted during a plea hearing in June that from August 2017 to August 31, 2019, he was part of the DTO. He collaborated with other members to obtain and sell prescription pills within Mercer County. Specifically, Hamilton acknowledged selling hydromorphone to an individual who was later revealed to be a confidential informant.

THE INVESTIGATION THAT LEAD TO HAMILTON’S FALL

Hamilton confessed that the informant would receive instructions from another DTO member on where and when to meet. The rendezvous typically took place at a trailer park in Princeton, owned by another DTO member. On two separate occasions, Hamilton sold hydromorphone to the informant there.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT BROUGHT DOWN THE DRUG RING

The DEA and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation, which included officers from West Virginia State Police, Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, Princeton Police Department, and Bluefield Police Department. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence, with Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handling the prosecution.

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