Anton Demetrius Matthews Sentenced in Wheeling Drug Case

Anton Demetrius Matthews, 33, of Cleveland, Ohio, was hit with 71 months in federal prison for pushing crack cocaine on Wheeling Island, dangerously close to Madison Elementary School. The sentence, handed down today in Wheeling, West Virginia, marks the end of a federal case targeting narcotics distribution in protected zones. Matthews pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location,” a charge that carries severe penalties due to the proximity to a school.

The distribution occurred near a neighborhood where children walk daily, raising alarms among local law enforcement. Federal prosecutors emphasized the predatory nature of selling drugs in areas meant for learning and safety. Matthews’ actions placed him directly in the crosshairs of federal drug enforcement efforts, especially in high-risk zones. The U.S. Attorney’s Office made it clear: exploiting school zones for drug trade ends in hard time.

Mark Louis Flint, 31, also of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 30 months in the same courtroom for his role in a broader drug conspiracy. Flint admitted to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Schedule I and Schedule II Controlled Substances.” His crimes involved the distribution of heroin and cocaine in Ohio County, West Virginia, dating back to October 2015. The case reveals a pattern of out-of-state traffickers flooding West Virginia communities with lethal narcotics.

The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, led the investigation. Equipped with federal resources and intelligence, the task force dismantled the network through surveillance, informant cooperation, and controlled buys. Their work underscores the ongoing battle against interstate drug operations that exploit regional vulnerabilities.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri handled the prosecution of Matthews, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard took the lead on Flint’s case. Both prosecutors delivered sharp, evidence-backed arguments that left no room for leniency. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided over the proceedings, delivering sentences that reflect the seriousness of drug distribution in sensitive areas.

With overdose rates soaring across Appalachia, federal and local agencies are doubling down on traffickers who profit from addiction. Matthews’ 71-month sentence sends a clear message: selling crack within 1,000 feet of a school isn’t just a crime—it’s a direct assault on community safety, and it will be punished accordingly.